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NELLY RINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


BY 

AMANDA M. DOUGLAS, 

Author of “Seven Daughters,” “Home Nook,” &c. 


BOSTON 

LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS 


Copyright, 1876, by Lee & Shepard. 
COPYRIGHT,^ 1904, BY AmANDA M. DoUGLAS. 

Nellie Kinnard’s Kingdom. 


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DEDICA TED 


TO 

MR AND MRS. GEORGE G. HARDY. 


They -who clasp hakds in pilgrim wise, 
And find beneath the clasp a friend, 
Need ask of fate no fairer prize, 

To BLESS THE WAY, OR CROWN THE END. 


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NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


CHAPTER I, 

" A strange, sweet path formed day by day, 

How, when, or wherefore, we cannot say: 

No more than of our life-paths we know 
Whither they lead us, why we go.’’ — Miss Mxjloch. 

“ It is all settled then, Nelly? You are certain that 
papa and mamma approve? ’’ 

I suppose I did look at her dubiously. Nelly glanced 
up merrily, and smiled. 

“ Of course, it is all settled, or I should not be here. 
Much as I liked him, I shouldn’t have gone against 
mamma’s wishes.” 

“ It seems so strange ! ” 

“You dear, little perplexed matron I Are not love- 
affairs always new and strange ? I think that is why they 
never lose their charm. It is like a new spring. The 
weather is about the same; trees grow, and flowers 
bloom; there is rain and sun, cloudy and clear morn- 
ings, evenings of dew, and evenings of drought : and yet 
one never complains of the sameness. There is a little 
difference everywhere. You are surprised by some 
change that is rare and delightful ; and you enjoy it just 
as if there had never been a spring before, or as if it had 
been changed expressly for you.” 

“ How eloquent you are, Nelly ! — quite a philosopher.^ 

8 


4 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


She flushed, and laughed gayly. 

“ I have an idea, Rose, that rny eloquence is second- 
hand, from some of papa’s sermons ; and yet it suits 
Your marriage and Fan’s were quite regular and ortho- 
dox ; while mine will be a little out of the order of events. 
Dr. Kinnard is so much older, so different from most 
young girl’s fancies ! ” 

“ O Nelly ! ” I cried, as her eyes drooped in a thoughriul 
pause, “ it is not that so much as the children, — another 
tv'oman’s children ! I used to think babies such lovely, 
helpless things, that one must perforce be good to all 
children ; but these are not babies, and will, no doubt, 
have a prejudice against a stepmother. And there are 
others to suit. It seems as if it would take the first 
bloom and sacredness right out of your marriage.” 

“ Yes : mamma said something like this at first. Then 
Dr. Kinnard and I talked it over in a very friendl}^ man- 
ner, — not at all like lovers. Rose, I think I am like an 
agate, with plain brown practical veins, and next a light, 
aiiy, changeful one, romantic, if you please ; and I go 
from one mood to another in a prismatic fashion, affected 
by the rays of light and the turning of circumstances. 
But the foundation always remains ; and there is some- 
thing under the practical, the fanciful, and the jagged, 
streaked veins, full of crooks and turns. My plain brown 
side came uppermost then. I said to him, ‘ I do not think 
it at ail natural that any stranger can go into a household 
of children and grown people, and love every one to order 
at once. I will do my best in a kind and conscientious 
manner ; but you must be patient with me, and wait for 
love to come, to be drawn by the little tendrils of associ- 
ation and every-day tenderness. I could not promise to 
love any one immediately.’ And he said that was just 
his view of the case ; that he always mistrusted the ex- 
travagant admiration that was so often bestowed upon a 
widower’s children. And, Rose, I think it absurd.” 


NELLY KINNABD’S KlNGDOil. 


5 


I stared at her, — a tall, slender girl, with quite a dif 
ferent loveliness from that of Fan, who had been consid- 
ered the family beauty in my time, four years ago. How 
odd it seemed to think of her marrying ! and how veiy 
elder-sisterly I felt with my years of wedded experience ! 
Yet what had they been ? A housekeeper who was per- 
fection, a most indulgent husband, prosperity, and one 
bright, enchanting baby-boy, two years old. Still I had 
that inexplicable feeling of wifehood and motherhood, that, 
after all, sets married women apart. Yet Nelly’s experi- 
ence must needs be widely different from Fan’s or mine. 
How could I advise or warn ? I felt suddenly the small- 
ness of my pretensions. 

“I daresay you think me heterodox,” Nelly went on; 
“ but there is a great deal of sentiment in this world that 
will not stand the wear and tear of life. Mamma under- 
stajids just what I mean, and is willing to trust me. I 
have said to myself many times, ‘ Here are two children, 
a son and a daughter, old enough to know that I am not 
their mother, and perhaps grudge me a little of their 
father’s love. I must always remember that they had it 
first, and that, in any case, I must try not to defraud 
them.” 

“ And that is what I should think so hard,” I rejoined 
eagerly. “ And the fact of his having loved” — 

“Rose,” — and Nelly’s eyes softened strangely with 
a luminous beauty, so like papa’s when he was deeply 
moved, — “I do not believe it was the highest and finest 
love that Dr. Kinnard is capable of experiencing. He 
became engaged to this girl when he was in college, partly 
to please his mother, and, I fancy, without much regard 
for the sacredness of affection. Then he spent three 
years in Germany, where he absolutely buried himself 
alive in books and lectures, and was married as soon as 
he came home. It seems to me the}" could hardly have 
had a taste in common. He loved country-life, and slie 
!♦ 


NELLY KTNNARD’s KINGDOM. 


lated it. She had been a belle, and cared most foi 
dressing and dancing, and always spent her winters in 
the city, until she became a querulous, exacting invalid ; 
and then her sister came to take care of her. I cannot 
imagine why she wanted to marry him, when there were 
other men in the world, I suppose.” 

“ She couldn't help being sick,” I said, bristling up a 
little ; for somehow the thought of such a life stirred me 
to profound pity. 

“No, dear, perhaps not. And one of the first things 
1 heard of Dr. Kinnard was, that he had been unexcep- 
tionably kind and tender. It is not his nature to be 
impatient, or easily annoyed. I like that quaint old- 
fashionedness, reminding me so much of papa ; and, do 
you know, he seems almost as old to me. But what I 
mean to do, if God gives me grace, is to bring back the 
lost youth, — the youth he missed somehow. Surely I 
have enougli for both.” 

She looked so radiant and hopeful, that I could not 
doubt it. We had all marvelled a little at Nelly’s choice. 
Dr. Kinnard appeared an older man than his thirty-fiv^e 
years gave him a right to be. Studious and philosophi- 
cal, rather dream}^, and absent as to moods, and much 
engrossed with his profession, I could hardly understand 
how he had caught Nelly’s heart. He and papa had 
made friends in some delightful manner ; and he had been 
a regular visitor at the house long before any one sus 
pected him of a warmer liking. He resided on the out- 
skirts of a flourishing town some twenty miles distant; 
and papa was quite satisfied with the friendly neighbor- 
hood commendations. ISIrs. Kinnard had been dead five 
years. Her sister, who had come at the birth of her second 
child, still remained ; and for three years his mother had 
been an inmate of the family. There was a daughtei 
eleven years of age, and a son between eight and nine. 

And our Nelly had elected to reign over this incon 


NELLY KINNABD’s KINGDOM. 


7 


gruoas household. She had spent one winter in the city 
with me, and been very much admired : indeed, there had 
been no little youthful adoration laid at her feet. She 
had a vein of Fan’s fun and audacity, and not a little of 
mother’s good sense and sweetness. 

All the household were reconciled to it sooner than I, 
perhaps because they knew Dr. Kinnard better. Nelly 
was twenty now ; and, though the engagement had been 
of but six months’ duration, the wedding-day was already 
appointed. She was not a romantic girl ; and this made 
hei choice appear the more peculiar to me. 

“ Well, I hope you will be very happy,” I said pres- 
ently, “ and that the children will not prove too much 
for you. If you could have them alone ” — 

“That has troubled me, I must confess;” and a per- 
plexed line crossed Nelly’s fair brow. “ If I could have 
just them and their father ! though. Rose, I must admit 
that they are not entrancing specimens of childhood. 
Maud is tall for her age, slender and sallow, with straight 
light brown hair, and light hazel eyes, and the oddest, 
pursed-up mouth, — what we would call a regular little 
prink. Bertie has beautiful dark brown eyes, like his 
father, and dark hair that curls a little ; but there is a 
kind of obstinacy in his face that I dread somewhat, 
though he is more inclined to be jolly, I think. But you 
see their aunt has always had charge of them, and pro- 
poses now to become their governess, as she has some 
peculiar views about education. She is their only relative 
on their mother’s side.” 

“And, of course, she must live with you?” 

“ I must live with her ; ” and Nelly made a humorous 
grimace. “ She was older than her sister, and must be 
nearly forty. Then the doctor’s mother is past sixty. 
Rose, do you remember how we used to wish that we had 
n grandmother?” 

Oh, that grandmother 1 How we had talked about hei 


9 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


in our childish days ! — the ver}^ dearest old woman in the 
world, rather small, but sti*aight and brisk and bright ; 
with a lovely, soft, wrinkled complexion, white as milk ; 
blue eyes that were tender and merry, and with the pecu- 
liar content you sometimes see in eyes that have used their 
time and privileges well, as if they had seen much, and 
remembered a great deal, and could relate chapters of 
those wonderful bits and fragments of things that hap- 
pened “ when I was young,” Her hair was to be silvery, 
and she was to wear caps with full lace borders around her 
sweet face. Her dresses were to be soft grays and browns, * 
raw silk, I think the Quaker material is called. Mamma 
had a little square shawl in the identical stuff, laid away 
in a drawer, which had once been her grandmother’s. 
How many pictures we drew of this dear, charming old 
lady, sitting in her rocking-chair, knitting, and telling us 
stories ! Only we could never quite decide whether she 
was papa’s mother, or mamma’s mother. I smiled now 
to think of it. 

“ And how we envied other girls’ grandmothers ! But 
we made ours to order ; and I shall have to take Grandma 
Kinnard just as she is.” 

“Do you think you shall like her?” I asked rather 
timidly, glancing up. 

“ She sets all my ideas at defiance,” returned Nelly 
with an odd smile. “ Her eyes are very black, and her 
face is long and thin. She wears no caps, or aprons, or 
little neckerchiefs crossed over her bosom, but ruffles and 
overskirts and chignons, and is very, very modem. O 
Rose ! when we grow old, let us accept the fact gracefully. 
You can’t think how disappointed I was when I saw her.” 

“ Nelly, I wonder at your courage. It is not a lova- 
ble household. You cannot even deceive yourself on the 
subject.” 

“ Nor do I desire to. Rose. Mamma says the part of 
true wisdom is to loolv at facts as they are, and then do 


ijTEIxLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


9 


the best. Fanny had no trouble ; yet she went into a 
household of elderly people.” 

“But they all liked her so beforehand, and wanted her 
to come. And the Churchills were lovely people.” 

“ It seems to me that more attention ought to be paid 
to the relatives on both sides than is commonly done. 
Why should we make up our minds that we are going to 
dislike each other, and, instead of commencing with the 
graceful and tender courtesies of life, bristle all over with 
thorns, and command every one to keep at a distance ? 
There is not even Christian charity in it.” 

“We cannot always love people to order, as you said 
yourself.” 

“ True enough. I do not expect any wonderful wel- 
come. Indeed, I fancy that both ladies would rather go 
on in their own way ; but, after having fulfilled all past 
trusts. Dr. Kinnard surely has some right to happiness. 
Neither of these women is dependent on him. And — 
we love each other ! I know you think it absurd of me, 
Rose,” she cries in a sort of defiant way, as if it would 
hardly be safe for me to say so. 

“ I suppose you have the right of choice ; ” and I 
smile. 

“ Thank you I ” With that she makes a stately 
courtesy. 

“ How they will miss you at home I ” I say presently. 

“ But there are four left ; and Daisy is almost eighteen. 
Think of it I O Rose, what a dear old home it has been 
for all ! A crowded country rectory, a clergyman ‘ pass- 
ing rich * on his thousand a year, and seven girls ! But 
with it all, the best and sweetest mother in the whole 
world. It does seem ungrateful to go away ; but it is the 
fashion of this world.” 

The tears glistened in her eyes a moment; but she 
laughed them away. 

“To think of being sentimental over your parents 


0 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


nstcad of your lover! But, Rose, I must be up and 
doing. Since, like Benedick, I do purpose marriage, I 
will think of nothing the world can say against it. "WTieu 
are we to shop? For there is only a month, you know.” 

As I was in the city, right in the midst of every thing, 
with Mrs. Whitcomb for my “ right-hand man,” Nelly 
come to me to help her plan and arrange her bndal 
outfit. 

When Fanny and I (the two elder daughters) were 
married, there had been very plain and inexpensive 
trousseaus. As papa said with his fine discrimination, 
we were married from our station, not from our lovers^ . 
Since that period, however, matters had gone on quite 
prosperously in the old home-nest. 

Fan had married into one of the oldest and wealthiest 
families in Wachusett. Her husband’s uncle and aunt 
had adopted them. Winthrop Ogden had come home to 
live, and was already looked upon as a young man w^ho 
would make his mark. He was connected with the bank, 
and was taking a warm interest in local politics ; and some 
of the steady-going old men predicted a brilliant future 
for him. 

Mrs. Ogden was quite a lady, and rode in her carriage, 
had a nurse for her children, and numerous indulgences 
of which her mother had never dreamed. More than one 
of the belles in town who thought themselves quite above 
her then, envied her now. But prosperity agreed with 
her. She was the same bright, joyous, warm-hearted 
Fan who had brightened the quaint old rectory. 

So, when this third marriage was settled, she one da3' 
slipped a crisp little roll in Nell^^s hand. 

“That is for some wedding-finery, m3" dear,” she said 
gayl}". “ I told Winthrop that he might do the omamen» 
tal part, silver and gold, and all that, but that I should 
oe strictly useful.” 

Papa and mamma had made their additions; and 


KELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


11 


Stephen had said to me privately, the evening before, tliat 
he wanted to give Nelly a pretty silk dress of a soft, 
exquisite shade that he had seen in a store. 

I fancy that we all took a greater pride in Nelly’s “ look- 
ing nice,” because the first Mrs. Kinnard had been quite 
an heiress; and her sister. Miss Grove, would still be 
there to inspect and comment upon Nelly’s belongings, 
We had grown quite worldly-wise, you see. 

The doctor had a good comfortable income from his 
practice, owned his house and several acres of ground. 
Mrs. Kinnard had some money of her own. The mother’s 
fortune was to be divided equally between her children, 
though she had spent quite a large portion of it. Miss 
Grove had been of a much more economical turn of mind, 
it was said. 

I did wonder what Nelly saw in that grave, absent man 
to love so well, when she might have had youth and its 
accompaniments. He was not rich enough for that to be 
a temptation. But he was very fond of her in a fatherly 
fashion ; and there was something quite touching in the 
watchful, wistful look out of the entreating brown eyes. 
Yet he was rather peculiar and set in his ways. 

Mrs. Whitcomb came in with baby at this juncture. I 
had hardly been allowed to miss manuna in her tender 
love and sympathy. She had taken the real care of my 
house ; and she had been such a good friend to Stephen 
and the boys I Indeed, every one who came in contact 
with her could not fail of being indebted for some love 
or kindness. She gave so continually. Sister of Mercy, 
husband first called her ; then Louis changed it to Sistei 
Clare. Now and then she took a vacation, and spent a 
month with mamma, or with the Churchills, who had 
learned to love her. 

“ O Stevie ! ” cried Nelly, holding out her hands, and 
kissing him rapturously. “ Do you ever realize how 
beautiful he is. Rose ? He is like a picture, or a dream. 
I am afraid of him, and yet he enchants me.” 


12 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


“Bat mamma is not afraid of him ; ” and I took him ic 
my arms. Ah, I did know that he was rarely beautiful. 
Two years old, fair, strong, and princely looking, running 
about by himself, talking eveiy thing, and making such 
quaint, wise remarks, that I sometimes felt startled, and, 
at others laughed at their oddness. As I recall them 
now, I think of that other mother of whom it was sahl, 
“ A sword shall pierce even through thine own soul.” 
But in those days I was perfectly happy. How good it 
is even to have had a few golden years ! 

We fondled and made much of him, as foolish mothers 
and aunts do. It is a great comfort that Providence has 
provided some outlet for yearning, demonstrative aifec- 
tion. If there were no babies, we should be perched for- 
ever on the high stilts of propriety and good sense. 

Here we called Mrs. Whitcomb into council, and dis- 
cussed wedding-clothes. 

“ It is so odd to think of another girl going out of the 
home-nest ! ” she said, studying Nelly with a kind of 
motherly pride. “Why, it is only the other day Rose 
and Fan were married.” 

“And thought ourselves grand over one light silk 
dress ; while Nelly here is planning for half a dozen. But 
I am not jealous, Nell.” 

“K you were, I should report you to Stephen,** says 
Nellj^ merrily. 

We Mss baby again and again, make him say and do 
hosts of pretty things, then sally out to attack diy-goods’ 
stores. It is a clear, cold March morning, or almost noon 
rather o Nelly is bright and gleeful ; but I keep thinkin g 
of the grave man and his two children, his mother, and 
sister-in-law, and wonder if her sunshine will not fail 
when the glamour of courtship wears off. Does it wear 
off ? Has Stephen’s and mine vanished ? Ah, no, no 1 
Wh}", then, can I not trust Nelly’s to endure? 

Ah. mine has really never been tried ! Stephen so good 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


13 


and tender ; the boys, his two brothers, doing well, for all 
their troublesome boyhood ; Louis, having taken a degree 
with honors, is now studying theology ; Stuart, bright 
and handsome, is in a flourishing mercantile house, and, 
though somewhat wild and careless, displays energy 
enough to make a fortune. Nothing to fret, or cross, or 
to depress. Why, it almost seems as if I was defrauding 
some other human being by having so much ! 

There will be thorns in Nelly’s path from the outset. 
1 know she will do her best ; and she is no weak, easily 
disheartened girl. K Dr. Kinnard loves her truly, and is 
not won merely by the fair face and beguiling manner ; if 
he possesses the rare attribute of justice, and remembers 
that she is a woman, and not a plaything, or a higher 
order of slave, to minister to one’s personal comfort only ; 
if— 

Then I come back to the silks and laces, the pretty 
soft woollen cloths the clerk drapes so deftly, the glisten- 
ing grenadines and Jun e-day organdies, all abloom with 
loveliness ; for it will be almost summer when she is 
married. She smiles with the seductive grace of youth, 
chooses this, rejects that, talks of carriage-dresses, dinner- 
toilets, colors that show by lamplight, until I wonder 
where she has gained her wisdom. Nelly Endicott from 
a simple country rectory 1 Yet the clerk looks at her in 
respectful admiration, as if she might be a princess in 
disguise. 

W'e come home late and tired, and And that some of 
the bundles have preceded us. Stephen brings out his 
package, and begs Nelly to inspect it without delay. 
Under the gaslight, it falls in folds of glistening sheen, 
something that is hardly pearl, hardly gray, but moonlight, 
sunlight, and starlight interfused, — a regular bride’s 
color. 

‘‘ O you magniflcent Stephen!” she cries. “How 
could you? ” And then she straightways throws her arms 
2 


14 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


about his neck, and kisses him. A son and a brother he 
is truly to all the Endicott household. 

After dinner Louis comes in the sitting room to help 
criticise and admire. He is taller than Stephen, but still 
slender, and with a kind of fragile look that occasionally 
pains me. These four years have been years of great 
watchfulness to him. Trials and failures have marked the 
way ; doubts, perplexities, and discouragements have beset 
him : yet there has been a steady upward endeavor. He, 
of all others, must needs be strong in the Lord ; for he 
finds his own strength too often but a broken reed. But 
I think it will enable him the more clearly to comprehend 
the infirmities of others, and work in him a patience much 
needed by those who do the Master’s bidding. 

Singularly enough, without knowing it, he gives the 
preference to Stephen’s gift, though they are all beautiful 
in their way, adapted to the purpose. 

“ Why, I shall be clad like a princess I ” NeUy cries,— 
“ almost in ‘ silken shoon.’ I shall grow vain with so 
many fine clothes.” 

“ Like Rose, here,” says Stephen. 

“Vain! — I?” and my cheeks are scarlet, at which 
everybody laughs. 

“If she were not going to marry Dr. Kinnard,” I say 
to Stephen when we are alone for the night. 

He looks up oddly and archly. “ Why shouldn’t one 
of you girls go out as a missionary?” he asks. “ Does 
aot Dr. Kinnard need a bright, cheerful home, and a 
pretty, loving wife ? What is more, I think he deserves 
it, after all these unsatisfactory years.” 

“ But if Nelly should find out too late ” — 

“ Perhaps there is not any river, and no need cf a 
bridge : so why do you want to run out, and see if Nelly 
cowZd cross it? ” and he laughs. “I should like her to 
have her home alone ; but she is taking the broad Christian 
view of it. The spiritually lame and halt and blind need 


NELLY KINNAKD’S KINGDOM. 


16 


to be ministered unto as much now as eighteen hundred 
years ago. Have we a right to push them out one side 
from a selfish regard for our own comfort? Nelly is a 
brave girl. If my mother had been alive, Rose — 

“ Oh, she would have been so different ! ” 

“We cannot tell. Old age is not alwa 3 ’s lovely. 1 
like to think that y^ou would have been kind and sweet 
and patient with the whims and crotchets of ill health and 
failing judgment. It seems so sad to me to see an old 
person who has lost most of the friends and companions 
of middle life, who has known sorrow and trials, and is 
living in a kind of loneliness that youth can know nothing 
about, pushed aside with careless coldness, because this 
same overflowing youth is not willing to give out of its 
abundance.’^ 

“ O Stephen I do not think that hardly of me,” I criefl 
earnestly. 

“It is not a thought of you, little woman. Nay, d<s 
not look so grave, but rather help, than hinder, Nelly in 
her new duties. Some one has the hard work to do in 
this world. I am just selfish enough to be glad that 
it is not you; but I believe you are brave enough to 
do it.” 

“ Thank you,” I said humbly, with tears in my eyes. 

Mrs. Whitcomb and I had found a treasure of a dress- 
maker, — a poor young girl who taught Sundays in the 
mission-school ; and she was to give us a fortnight on 
N(3ll3^s attire. We were very busy, you may be sure. 
We all helped ; and we “ rectory girls ” were almost 
dressmakers ourselves. Then there were some fine con- 
ceits just at this time, and some lectures that Stephen 
wanted us to hear; and the days passed rapidly. Dr. 
Kinnard kept his love in remembrance by frequent letters, 
and came for her when she was ready^ to return. 

I began to understand better Nelly’s sterling good 
sense, and the solemnity with which she had already cou 


16 


NELLY KINNAED'S KINGDOM. 


A’dered her life-work. Her love was not a simple, girlisi 
fancy, caught by something a little out of the oi dinary 
course. I began to fear less for her, and leave her more 
to the care of the watchful Father, who has promised that 
all things shall work together for good. 


CHAPTEB n. 


■'* For it may be proclaimed with truth, 

If Bruce hath loved sincerely, 

That Gordon loves as dearly.” — Wobdsvjobth. 

The marriage took place the middle of May, in church, 
with Nelly dressed in the simplest of white, at papa’s 
request. The Kinnard household had all been invited ; 
but only the two ladies came, their silks almost as stiff 
as their manners. They brought with them a different 
atmosphere, not the cordiality of our circle, nor the high 
breeding of the West Side, but the bristling-up of little 
boundary lines, lest some one might be inclined to 
trespass upon his neighbor’s lawn. 

“I did not consider it a proper thing to bring the 
children,” Miss Grove explained to mamma. “ They 
are too young to understand such a ceremony ; and it 
would always be a puzzle to them.” 

Whether Dr. Kinnard cared, no one knew ; for he made 
no comment. He looked unusually well, I thought, and 
so happy, that the last vestige of my reluctance vanished. 
A. little graver than our double marriage ; for that haa 
tlie flush and exuberance of kindred youth and consenting 
friendship. 

We came home to an elegant little reception at the 
rectory. Fan had supervised that, with Daisy and Lily 
for handmaidens, who were growing up in the same sis- 
terly companionship that had characterized Fan and I. 

Nelly had but an hour’s grace, and then they were to 
start for Washington. Mamma was fresh and lovely i 
2 * 17 


18 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


indeed, it seemed quite absurd to think of her being a 
grandmother. Papa had gained a little llesh ; and I was 
really elated to see how he held his own with Mrs. Kin- 
nard, who took the mari'iage none too cordially, and 
hoped it was for the best, in the tone of a person who 
would not be heartbroken at seeing a little of the worst 
happen. 

“ The traditional mother-in-law,*’ said Winthrop Ogden 
with a queer little smile. “ I think she will have hard 
work to extinguish Nelly.” 

Mamma shook her head at him. 

“ And, Fan, if you think you would like to exchange 
Aunt Esther for Miss Grove ” — 

“You incorrigible!” whispered Fan with a pinch. 
“ It is against good breeding and religion to gossip about 
your neighbors.” 

“ I am not gossiping, Mrs. Ogden. If 1 knew twenty 
stories to their detriment, I positively wouldn’t tell more 
than ten. Rose, look at those two women : Miss Grove 
is the old maid in every severe and proper line ; while 
Aunt Essie, her senior certainly, is the very picture of 
a noble and lovable woman. What makes so wide a 
difference? ” 

“It is in the women themselves,” I replied. “One 
has narrowed her life : the other has broadened it. One 
has made herself lovely through generous feelings, and 
deeds of charity and tenderness ; and the other — no, I 
will not talk about my neighbors either; ” and I ended 
with a little laugh. 

There was a stir just then. Nelly and the doctor were 
saying their good-bys ; Winthrop and papa were going to 
di’ive to the station with them ; and the Kinnards’ train 
was to start half an hour later. Mamina pressed them 
to remain until the next train ; but Miss Grove explained 
that they seldom went out together, and left the children 
alone, and that, under the circirm stances, they would 


NELLY KINNARD S KINGDOM. 


19 


excuse her feelings. Nothing but her high regard foi 
Dr. Kinnard could have induced her to come; “for my 

poor sister is still a reality to me. In time I shall no 

doubt become accustomed to seeing her place filled ; ” and 
Miss Grove sighed. 

I wondered how mamma could answer her with such 
wisdom and such sweetness. I should have stumbled 

with the very best intentions. And yet I felt sony for 

the poor lady ; and, for a moment, it seemed as if Nelly 
had no right, — that she was an intruder. 

I suppose the vexed question of second marriages 
never can be settled to every one’s satisfaction. Whether 
they are wise, whether they are necessary, is a question 
that no one can resolve, except the parties thereto. It 
was the first little shade that had come in to jar our 
family harmony. 

We bade the ladies a cordial farewell ; but it must be 
confessed that we felt more at ease after they were gone. 
In fact, when some of the poor parishioners who had been 
invited by papa began to come in, there was a sudden 
jollity. 

How pleasant it was to be among old friends and 
neighbors ! I had only made brief visits at home since 
baby’s birth ; but now I had come for a good long stay. 
For this afternoon and evening I was a daughter of the 
house ; and one or two old ladies actually called me Rose 
Endicott. 

Yet I felt a little bewildered, trying to fit myself into 
the niche out of which I had grown. Was this tall, shy 
girl, baby Edith, whose advent had made a stir in the 
parish, and led to such ever- widening circles? I remem- 
bered the morning Aunt Letty Perkins had sat before the 
fire, bewailing another girl ; and I had wondered if papa 
were not secretly sorry to have so many of us. He 
looked uncommonly joyous now, jesting with one and 
another, and talking about his sons. Why, it was absurd, 


20 


^^ELLY KINKARD’S KINGDOM 


to “ father such a man as Dr. Kinnard: Stephen an 
Winthrop did very well. 

About midnight, I think, we settled into quiet. The 
next morning Stephen and Mrs. Whitcomb returned to 
the city. Mamma still kept but one girl : indeed, now 
there seemed very little to do ; and Daisy was a bom 
housekeeper. Beauty seemed to descend alternately. 
Daisy had a sweet, good, honest face ; but she would 
never be as handsome as Fan or Nelly. Lily and Ger- 
trude took their share of the household work ; and there 
was no baby. Mamma sat a^good deal in the study with 
some trifle of sewing while papa wrote, or read aloud to 
him when his eyes were tired. They drew closer together 
as the breaches were made in the outer walls. 

Fan and I hoped they would live for a golden wedding. 
I could almost see how they would look. Our children 
would have the coveted gi'andmother. She would be 
taller than our ideal, and not quite so full of centoy-old 
remembrances ; but it would be delightfully entertaining 
to hear about “When youi* grandfather went to his first 
parish.” 

I liked their nearness and devotion to one another ; the 
delicate, old-fashioned girlishness that came back to 
mamma ; the thoughtful, chivalrous politeness that papa 
displayed. It might have been a lesson to modern sons : 
at all events, it was worth living for. 

First I began to visit the parishioners. The little girls 
who had been in my Sunday-school class were yoimg 
ladies, and really gave me a feeling of diffidence. And 
the old ladies who exclaimed, “Lawful sus! Why, I 
remember when your pa first came here, and you was a 
little mite of a girl.” 

Papa had said of Aunt Letty Perldns, “ You must call 
on her as soon as you can, daughter ; for she is confined 
to the house by the rheumatism. I begin to believe there 
mav be a beneficial use in gossin. the DOor old soul is sc 
glad to have some one drop in and talk 


NELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM. 


21 


ho I had to tell her over again about my husband and 
m}’ house, how well the boys were doing, how smart 
the baby was, and all the salient points of my life. 

“ Well, I do say, and allers did, that there was no one 
like your mar for luck. Three girls well married ! And 
you may notice it as a rale, that, if the oldest goes off first, 
the rest foller like a flock o’ sheep. But if the oldest 
hangs on till two or three are gone, she’s sure to be an 
old maid.” 

Which seemed to Aunt Letty the worst fate that could 
befall a woman. 

Then there was Jennie Fairlie, living a charming life 
with her husband, her mother, and her babies, Mrs. 
Fairlie and Kate spent much of their time in the city. 
Wachusett they found very slow and dull ; and the young 
men ‘‘ always were stupid, you know,” Kate declared. 

“I feel sorry for her,” said Fanny one day. “Her 
great aim in this life was to make a brilliant marriage. 
She is attractive, too, in a certain way; but she does 
not seem to accomplish her desire. She is quite faded 
with so much dissipation ; and I do believe her mother 
would be willing to come back to the every-day living 
she once thought so tiresome. I can never be thankful 
enough that Dick Fairlie chose so wisely, and has such a 
delightful home. Papa says he is growing very mucii 
like his father. He stands by his wife and his faith in a 
manful fashion. Rose, it does seem as if papa was 
already reaping the fruits of his labor in some of tho 
young men whose boyhood he watched over.” 

Dear, conscientious, painstaking papa ! I am sure he 
deserved it. Though the reward does not always tome 
in this life. 

At the West Side they were still cheerful and serene ; 
but Miss Lucy’s fluctuations as to hope were over. She 
was thinner and weaker, and lay on the sofa by the 
windows most of the time. Her room was a marvel of 


22 


NELLY KJLNNARD'S KINGDOM. 


orightness and comfort. Tme, the Churchills had wealth 
enough for every indulgence ; but there was something 
more here than mere wealth could give, — a noble and 
heavenl}^ Christian resignation, a cheerfulness that in- 
spired one, and took away the melancholy of death. It 
made me think of Sydney Smith’s brave sweetness when 
he found that he was stricken with a mortal disease, and 
how he kept his friends from turning to the dark side of 
the picture. Now and then Miss Lucy said, “ After I 
am gone, I want you to do thus or so,” as if it was only 
a little journey. 

She would not even admit that the babies troubled her, 
— a charming little girl of three, who was named after 
both aunts, but called Essie ; and a frolicsome boy of ten 
months. Fan had grown a little stouter and rosier, and 
Winthrop more manly. They were a most fortunately 
matched couple, still inclining to the enjo;yment and the 
amusement of life. She was quite a great lady in the 
parish, helping papa in many nameless ways, and work- 
ing for the welfare and advancement of her kind. Cer- 
tainly wealth could not have fallen into better hands. 
And what seemed loveliest of all to me was, that Win- 
throp was really a son to papa. He paid him a peculiar, 
well-bred deference ; but I think that true and noble 
respect was in the Churchill blood. 

Uncle Churchill was mellowing into the most delight- 
ful of old gentlemen. Small Essie tyrannized over him 
completel3L Miss Churchill had hardly changed at al , 
unless it was to have her sphere of affection widened by 
the new-comers she took in so cordially^. 

“O Fan I” I said laughingly, as I sat in her pretty 
room, half listening to my baby, who was telling Miss 
Lucy, across the hall, marvellous stories of his papa’s 
house, “ doesn’t it sometimes seem to you as if we were 
masquerading? Think of the day we were cleaning 
house, and the Maynards came in their carriage, and how 


NELLY KINNARD S KINGDOM. 


23 


you hurried me off down stairs to entertain them I And 
the many pinches and small economies, and how grand 
we felt over the money the summer the boys boarded with 
us ! Think of the carpet and chair and our new dresses ! 
Wh}', Cinderella’s godmother was as nothing to it. We 
were happy ! ” 

“ Of course we were ! ” cries Fan. “ I can’t think of a 
l)it of unhappiness that I’ve ever had in my whole life, 
though we had to squeeze hard sometimes to make the 
great American eagle come out and do his duty nobly by 
us. And, Rose, I think the experience was just the thing 
for us, — at least for me. I can understand the feelings 
and wants of nice poor people, and see where the bright- 
ness is needed in their lives. And it is a pleasure to have 
something to give. Wealth has its responsibilities ; but I 
do not see why people should wrap themselves up like 
mummies, with swaddling-clothes of ease, and never look 
out beyond.” 

“ That sounds like papa ; ” and I smiled. 

“ We all borrow a little of him, I daresay. Sermons 
must be excellent, when one’s own family remember? 
them. But there isn’t his like in all the world.” 

Were we foolish about him? Perhaps so. It is well 
that there should be a little of such foolishness left in this 
material world, where feeling is fast being reduced to a 
nonentity by the march of scientific facts, and affection 
is laughed to scorn on the highway. Parents may 
keep their children’s respect; but the adoring love we 
felt for him was above respect. To us he was the 
embodiment of truth, tenderness, honor, and generosity, 
rhe exceeding purity of his nature made him a com- 
panion for the most delicate girl ; and, that he could meet 
a boy’s strength and wants, Louis Duncan had fully 
tested ; perhaps many another in a scale of degradation 
that we knew nothing about. No one rebuked a wrong 
more fearlessly, no matter in what sphere the offender 


24 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM, 


might stand; no one detected a sophism sooner: but 
with his rebuke was mingled the quality of heavenly kind- 
ness ; with his exposed error, he never disdained to give 
a reason for the faith that was in him. 

My visit took me back to my girlhood more than any 
other had done. Mamma and I fell into the old confi* 
dences. She was not yet done with the struggle of ways 
and means: indeed, I think she woivid always have 
plamied closely, and bestowed the rest upon the poor. 
How unfeignedly she rejoiced that we three girls would 
never be likely to know the struggles of poverty ! 

And so I was feasted and feted, and baby spoiled to his 
heart's content. But, when I crossed my own threshold 
once more, two strong arms infolded me ; and the brave, 
manly voice, with a strand of pathetic tenderness in it, 
cried, — 

“My little wife! Thank God you are come I It has 
been a lonesome time without 3^ou." 

“But if 3"Ou had written, if you had spoken one 
word ; " and my heart beat almost guiltily. 

“As if I could not fight my own selfishness down! 
No : I am glad you staid, and were happy, but a hundred- 
fold more glad to have j-ou home again.” 

For this love’s sake, they shall leave father and mother, 
And thus new homes are made all the world over. Ab 
who could ever open them to discontent and sin I 


CHAPTER m. 


* The little griefs, the petty wounds, 

The stabs of daily care, 

* Crackling of thorns beneath the pot ’ 

As life’s fire burns, now cold, now hot, — 

How hard they are to bear I ” 

Db. Kinnard handed his young wife out of the car* 
riage before the wide, hospitable porch, now abloom with 
roses. That certainly gave a generous welcome to the 
new bride, even if its voice was a silent one. Their month 
of pleasure had been a rare holiday for the doctor. He 
was looking younger, and a healthy color suffused his face, 
— a shrewd, humorous face withal, despite its gravity, 
which had been more of circumstances and studious habits 
than any original bent. He wore a full beard, cropped 
short now, after the Vandyke pattern, which the shape of 
the lower part of his face intensified ; a broad forehead, 
with dark hair, curling a little at the temples, slow-mov- 
ing, dark brown eyes, that were brooding over some 
internal theme, as well as external surrounding. When 
he .seemed most oblivious of passing events, he surprised 
you by some remark that betrayed his keen sight. He 
was a trifie above the average height, with a little bend 
in the shoulders, that detracted still further from youth- 
fulness. 

A glorious summer day it had been, with the coolness 
of a recent shower in the air. At four they had reached 
Edgerly Station. From this point, you had the main 
business-part directly ahead of you; and the engine 
3 25 


26 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


pushed on through it. The river made a sharp turn just 
above ; and over the bridge lay much the prettiest part 
of the town, — country and town intermingled. 

Mat had come down in the family carriage, with a 
hearty welcome for his master, and a rather shy one for 
his new mistress. But he was quite alone. Dr. Kinnard 
looked surprised, and knitted his brows, and asked il’ all 
were well at home. 

“ Very well, indeed, your Honor. And it’s a good 
thing to see you back. I hope you and the missis will 
like it so well, that you’ll never want to go again.” 

A half-smile shone in the doctor’s eye as he replied. 

They wound in and out through clumps of trees ; modern 
mprovement not yet having cast its severe eye upon the 
crooks in the road, though perhaps it secured immunity 
by following the river. Then there was a more direct 
way for those whose time was more precious than their 
enjoyment. 

Nelly noted the many beautiful points with intense 
appreciation. Dr. Kinnard liked the quick look and the 
silence. Noisy effusion was bis abomination. He was 
thinking now what a delightful companion she would 
make for his hitherto solitary rides. She was thinking, 
with a strange awe, of her new home, and offering up a 
little womanly thanksgiving for having had her husband 
all to herself four delicious weeks. 

Nelly Endicott had not married blindly; though, at 
times, it seemed a little odd, even to herself, and so unlike 
her sisters’ brief, bright love-making. Dr. Kinnard had 
met Mr. Endicott at a clerical dinner given at the house 
of an intimate friend. A pleasant chord of sympathy was 
touched by some trifling bit of experience. The double 
marriage had but recently occurred ; and some one joked 
the good man on his houseful of girls. 

‘‘Seven!” exclaimed Dr. Kinnard. “Really, friend 
Endicott, 1 should like to see this happy family.” 


NELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM. 


27 


“ It is shorn of its glory/’ was the reply. “ There are 
but five left.” 

A hearty laugh followed this announcement. 

Later, they were discussing some new scientific discov- 
er}^, in a corner by themselves. 

“ My wife was reading it aloud to me last evening; 
and we had quite a little argument. She inclines to Frere' s 
opinion. I like to go over these things several times, 
before I form a positive decision.” 

The mother of seven girls reading heavy science aloud 
to her husband, instead of hunting up lovers for her 
daughters I Dr. Kinnard stared. 

One day, being in the vicinity of Wachusett, he looked 
up the pleasant rectory, and found himself beguiled by a 
sort of pastoral idyl that he had hardly thought to meet 
outside of books. The exquisite and simple home-charm 
did its appointed work again, and touched a heart border- 
ing on faithlessness and cynicism. He heard of Rosa 
and the boys, — that remarkable first irruption of boys 
at the rectory ; he met Mr. and Mrs. Winthi’op, the 
Churchills, and presently bowed with unfeigned rever- 
ence to that pure and noble embodiment of womanhood, 
Mrs. Endicott. 

So went on three years of friendship. Nelly, mean- 
while, unfolded and blossomed, pretty, arch, lovable, and 
with a spice of innocent giidish coquetry, — the love of 
pleasing and being liked. Her city experience did her 
no harm. 

If he had such a daughter I 

It was absurd, of course. He could not imagine hia 
little girl blooming into any of these Endicott graces. 
Yet it she had proper training ; if aunt and grand- 
mother; if the petty difierences, bickerings, and fussi- 
Qess, — but there his thoughts came to a sudden blank. 
It was not a pleasant home ; neither could he alter these 
women’s natures. He had hardened himself to them 


28 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


instead; kept to his own “den,” where they weie for- 
bidden entrance. But twenty or thirty years of such 
home isolation suddenly looked unendurable to him. 

Then he made an astounding, and at first mortifying 
discovery. His regard for sweet Nelly Endicott was not 
of the fatherly type. He had blundered into something 
deliciously diflerent, yet positively ridiculous. Why, 
she would laugh at such an ancient stick presuming to 
make love to her. No: he was not quite such an old 
fool as that I 

So he kept away, shutting himself up in his secluded den, 
or taking long drives. The reading, speculations, and 
metaphysical themes, became dull. He would not think 
of her : so he thought of his past life, and was amazed 
at its bareness, its solitary monoton3\ 

He had been a hard student, and early graduate, look- 
ing forward to three years in German}^ as the crowning 
pleasure of this toil. But his mother, having no daugh- 
ters, busied herself with matrimonial projects for her son, 
and had selected Miss Mary Grove, an heiress, and a 
very stylish girl. She took them both to Saratoga with 
her, and managed to bring about an engagement in a 
month’s time. 

It did not keep him at home, though, to her great 
disappointment. Miss Grove fiirted meanwhile ; and, 
if she had met with a better ofier, would have thrown 
over her betrothed with small compunction. But on his 
return she was twenty-five, and beginning to fade : so 
she speedily became Mrs. Kinnard. The mother, mean- 
while, had gone to a neighboring State to be witn an 
onl3" and invalid sister.. He thought that marriage would 
give him a better position ; and in those da^^s love was a 
secondary consideration. 

After three years of city living and practice, he felt 
that he must retrench somewhat. He was fond of the 
country ; and hearing of tliis place at Edgerly, where a 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


29 


physician had just died, and whose estate, being heavilj' 
involved, was offered much below its real value, he made 
his bargain, and then announced his plans. 

It was spring ; and, since they must make a change, 
it would be rather stylish to go into the country. The 
house was large, roomy, delightful; and she could fill 
it with guests. And, if she was not satisfied, of course 
there could be another change. 

The marriage had not been a happy one so far, — one 
engrossed with the world, the other with his profession. 
She might have persuaded with love and patience, but 
she had neither ; and Dr. Kinnard objected stoutly to 
being driven. A husband, in Miss Mary Grove's estima- 
tion, was a sort of major-domo for outside affairs, pro- 
viding houses and carriages, servants and mone}- ; asking 
no questions, and making few demands ; obeying readily, 
and keeping out of the way for the most part. Fortunate 
circumstances had not brought them into collision hith- 
erto ; but now they really came face to face in the 
struggle for power. 

Dr. Kinnard was, of all men, the hardest to struggle 
against. He had a warm interest outside : he had, also, 
the rare power of holding his tongue. He would not 
quarrel or dispute with a woman. He said what he would 
do ; ai:d, when others had expended their energy in 
wrangling, he simply reiterated his piu-pose. At the 
birth of the second baby. Miss Adelaide Grove was 
aided to the family. After that, Mrs. Kinnard went 
to the city whenever she chose, and staid as long as 
she liked, without even consulting her husband. She 
was not going to be buried alive in a stupid country- 
place. But health failed, making her more dependent 
and exacting, but not more gentle. When she had 
played out nearly all her hand, and won nothing, she 
bethought herself of a last resoi-t. She demanded him, 
his time and attention. K she could, she would fain 


50 NBLT.Y KrNNAJtD’S KINGDOM. 

have kept him from every other patient. She upbiaideti 
him with coldness and neglect. Many a sharp-pointed 
arrow she launched at him ; but he, knowing that the end 
could not be long delayed, was patient. 

It came at last. It is a sad thing so to have lived, 
that those who should be nearest and dearest experience 
a ssnse of relief. Dr. Kinnard did not affect any violent 
sorrow. He was grave habitually. The neighbors 
pitied him and his motherless children, but admitted 
that both had an excellent friend in Miss Grove. He 
felt in those early days as if Adelaide was almost an 
angel, so quiet and orderly was the house kept, so peace- 
ful was the atmosphere. 

It had gone on up to this date. Now he began to 
brood a little over the happiness he had missed, to 
realize that matrimony was not the unalloyed evil he had 
once believed it. He told himself, that, if he did marry 
again, it should be some grave, kindly, domestic woman, 
who would be satisfied with the quiet pleasures of home 
A bright young girl was folly. 

One day he strayed over to Wachusett again. Mr. 
and Mrs. Endicott were out in the Churchill carriage. 
Daisy and Lily were engrossed with croquet and some 
young friends. Nelly came to receive the visitor. 

“ Oh, you will stay ! ” she cried with her most persua- 
sive smile. ‘‘Papa would be so disappointed! He has 
been wondering what kept you away.” 

Sha asked it out of innocent eyes and frankest lips. 
He saw it, and turned away. He could teU her no 
shambling, evasive lie, nor yet the truth. 

She remarked the strange demeanor. “ Has any one 
offended you. Dr. Kinnard?” and then she took his 
hand, amazed at the vehement clasp. 

“It is this, Nelly : you have a right to know. I have 
been an old fool ! K I come frequently again, it must 
be as your lover, or else 1 must teach myself to stay 
awav.” 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


31 


If he had kissed the scarlet face, or clasped the swaying 
figure in his arms, in short, indulged in any vehement 
demonstration, he might have wrecked his cause. He 
abstained, from a fine and rare delicacy, walked beside 
her to the study, seated himself on the capacious lounge, 
and began an indiflerent conversation. Nelly sat amazed. 
Had she missed any thing more than her father's frieud 
during these weeks ? 

The sound of carriage-wheels, and the familiar voices, 
broke in upon her dreamy mood. Fan was there with 
little Essie, who clapped her hands, and begged to kiss 
“Edif" just one little time. Then they came out on 
the porch again ; and there was a cordial welcome, a 
merry chat, supper, and train-time almost before he 
knew. Ah, it would go hard with him if he could not 
win a daughter of this happy household. 

With his good-by he said, just under his breath, Am 
I to come, Nelly? Be generous, if you can.” 

Without raising her eyes, she held out her hand, saying 
softly and shyly, “ I think you may." 

A few weeks of half-covert courtship, and the regard 
was declared. Mrs. Endicott had wisely discussed some 
of the diflSculties with her daughter, and then left her to 
the guiding hand of love, and that wiser Power to whom 
they had all been taught to turn, not only in sorrow, 
but in joy. He had proved a somewhat impatient lover, 
consenting to an engagement of six months only. 

And now Nelly Kinnard had come to her husband's 
home and her husband's children. He was no longer all 
hers ; yet with a bright, happy smile, she walked up the 
wide, flower-bordered path. They should see how willing 
she was to meet them more than half-way. 

The hall-door opened, and Mrs. Kinnard appeared, 
rather stifl* and uncertain ; but the doctor's smile thawed 
her, and she kissed Nelly's winsome face. 

“Where is Aunt Adelaide and the children?” tha 


82 


NELLY laNNARD'S KINGDOM. 


Miss Grove answered the question by sweeping dowi 
the broad staircase in her voluminous silk robe. Tall 
and austere-looking, she held out her hand fiigidly, 
uttered her precise welcome, “ hoped the journey had 
been pleasant, as the weather had proved exceedingly 
fine. No doubt Mrs. Kinnard would prefer to go to her 
room immediately, as travelling was a rather tiresome 
and dusty pleasure. She would find every thing con- 
venient. Will you go up. Barton, and show Mat what 
you wish to have done with the trunks that* came this 
morning?” 

Mat had shouldered the travelling-trunk. Dr. Kin- 
nard led his wife up stairs. 

The house was large, low-ceiled, with broad doorways 
and a great hall, the back part of which was used for 
dining-purposes. The oaken stairs were uncarpeted and 
polished. Above, half a dozen doors seemed to open ; 
but the space was wide and airy. They crossed the 
threshold of the front chamber ; and, for a moment. Dr. 
Kinnard stared oddly, almost angrily. 

The floor was covered with matting which had an aged 
and rather dingy look. An old-fashioned bedstead and 
bureau of mahogany, some rush-bottomed chairs ranged 
against the wall, a few faded pictures, and, on the mantle, 
two tall silver candlesticks, with snuflers and tray in the 
middle. 

“Upon my word I** and he laughed heartily; while 
Nelly glanced around blankly. “ Not very inviting, eh, 
Nelly? I will tell you how it came. This has been 
kept as a spare chamber for some time; but Adelaide 
thought the furniture, which belonged to Maud's mother, 
ought to be saved for her. When I bought the house, 
I took a lot of old traps with it ; and I daresay these are 
some. I wanted to refurnish to please you : so I simply 
said, “ Take out the things, and make it comfortable. It 
certainly has not been made beautiful ; but we will change 
it in a day or two." 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


33 


“Was this your room? “ Nelly asked in a low tone. 

Ue seemed to understand the unspoken question aa 
i^ell. 

“No. It was the other side of the hall, next to 
Adelaide’s. It is to be Maud’s, I believe. I am in 
the habit of sleeping down stairs a great deal. Are yov 
tired ? Shall I unlock youj trunk ? ” 

A strange, unhomelike feeling grew upon Nelly ever} 
moment; but she tried to smile. Her husband hac 
been awkwardly and bashfully loverlike these few weeks ^ 
and now he unstrapped, unlocked, and lifted out the 
tray. Suddenly he paused. 

“ Are you not going to take off your hat? Nelly, my 
dear little woman, I want you to -feel that I, and all I 
have, belongs to you, and is at your service. I want you 
to help 'me give this place the cosey snugness of the 
rectory. I have never had such a home.” 

Very little had been said concerning his household, 
except in the vague, incidental way that people skirmish 
about subjects that may have a little unpleasantness in 
them. 

The place seemed queer to her, as if she had gone to 
the verge of civilization. But she laid aside her hat, 
then hid her face on her husband’s shoulder. 

“ O Barton ! ” she cried, “ do you think they will love 
me?” 

“We decided, you know, NeUy, that it would be a 
work of time. You must be brave, and not easily dis- 
heartened, my little girl. There are few homes and few 
mothers like yours, more’s the pity, in this weary world.” 

“And the children? ” 

“ Aunt Adelaide has them in very good trainlig. To 
tell the truth,” and he sat down on the edge of the bed, 
“ I haven’t bothered my head much about domestic man- 
agement. My womenkind have been glad to take the 
authority, and I am so irregular indoors.” 


34 


NELLY KINNARD’S JONGDOM. 


He felt, too, that he was not the kind of father Nell> 
Endicott had known and loved. Strange that his. chil- 
dren’s stepmother should be first to make him aware of his 
shortcomings in that respect ! Children were something of 
a bore to him when he had them year by year. 

“I am to be their mother, you know,” she sa'd in a 
soft, pleading voice. 

He was not quite sure but that he had married her for 
his own pleasure, first of all, and that every thing else 
must be a secondary consideration. 

“ Don’t perplex yourself about these matters until you 
begin to feel at home,” he returned in a tender tone. “ I 
hope we shall all be good friends ; but if 3^ou please and 
satisfy me, no one else in the world shall find fault. But 
are you not going to dress ? Put on the blue silk, will 
you not? I like so to see you in it.” 

“ Is there to be company? ” 

“ Oh, no ! And, while 3^011 are getting ready, I will 
run down to my ‘ den ’ a moment.” 

Some one called to him as he was passing through the 
hall. Her ear was on the alert for children’s voices ; but 
the door was quickly shut. She bathed her hands and 
face, laid aside her travelling-dress, and began to adorn 
herself for her husband’s sake. She could hardly believe 
that he cared so much about dress ; and 3T,t she was 
pleased too. “ I hope he will always take an interest in 
what I wear,” she thought. 

He returned presently, and was barely ready when the 
tea-bell rang. He had gathered a cluster of roses for her 
hair ; and she placed one in his buttonhole as the y went 
down together. The children stood in the hall. 

“ Children,” Dr. Kinnard began with a certain pleasant 
firmness and sense of authority in his voice, which carried 
weight, as a man’s most positive utterances should,— 
“ children, I want to make 3’ou acquainted with this lady, 
whom I love, and have brought home as my wife and your 


NELLY KINNARD S KINGDOM. 


35 


jnother. I want you to love and respect her as well, ana 
obey her in all things as you would me.’’ 

Maud made a prim little courtesy ; while Bertie sh3'ly 
took refuge in the folds of his gi’andmother’s gown. 
Nelly stooped, and kissed them both. Maud gave her 
cheek coldly. Bertie flushed, and, perhaps with a lx ' 's 
ntuitive chivalry, returned the caress. 

The table was the perfection of neatness and good old- 
fashioned feasting, — several kinds of preserves, besides 
the strawberries, half a dozen kinds of cake, bread, ami 
biscuits. Nellie smiled, thinking of the simple rectow 
suppers. But this was in honor of the bride, no doubt. 
Instinctively she thought of the “ dinner of herbs.” 

It was a silent, constrained ineal. Dr. Kinnard talked 
but little at home ; and his meals were oftenest taken 
alone. Maud copied her aunt’s formal politeness, and 
the airs of a grown-up lady. Nelly could hardly forbear 
smiling at the unchildlike assumption. The prim, sallow 
little face with its pursed-up mouth, the light brown hair 
drawn tightly back from the temples with a comb, and 
tied in a sort of flowing knot behind. Her dress was a 
light plaid silk much flounced and puffed, flnished with a 
wrought linen collar and cuffs, to which were added pin 
and ear-rings of handsome dark cameo (her mother’s), 
and gold bracelets much too large. 

“ I wonder if she ever runs and plays like other little 
girls,” Nelly commented inwardly. “ How Miss Grove 
would be shocked by Tiny Tim’s cognomen, mishaps and 
misadventures, and a host of children in the dooryard 
playing tea, and frolicking in the grass ! ” 

At home, the table at meal- times had been a kind of 
domestic altar, on which each one laid some cheenul 
offering, — a bright ’bought, a pleasant incident, anecdote, 
plans, inquiry^, interest. Every one looked forward to 
the meeting, glad to be together, and share each other’s 
delights, content with the simplest fare and unfailing 
love. 


36 


NELLY KINNARD'S KINGDOM. 


This was cold and wearisome. Nelly was glad to rise, 
and followed the doctor’s mother into the parlor. It had 
been furnished by the first Mrs. Kinnard, and was a rather 
strange medley. The carpet was dulled by the furniture 
(faded scarlet satin) ; and it seemed to have been some 
one’s study to crowd in it every thing ornamental that 
could be had. The walls were adorned with pictures in 
worsted-work, which had been Mrs. Kinnard’ s girlish 
passion. But “Rebecca at the Well” looked dingy in 
her faded attire, and little Moses was very red in the face, 
while the princess was brown. “Pocahontas rescuing 
Capt. John Smith ” puzzled Nelly for a long while. 

Conversation languished. Dr. Kinnard plainly fidg- 
eted. When Nelly could endure the restraint no longer, 
she suddenly exclaimed, — 

“ Can we not go out and walk among the flowers? It 
looks so tempting ! and the air is delightful.” 

“ Why, yes ; ” and Dr. Kinnard rose with alacrity. 

“Will you not come?” said Nelly, holding out her 
aand to Maud in friendly overture. 

“ No, I thank you,” answered the precise little voice ; 
and she spread her ruffled skirts farther over the ottoman. 

Nelly took her husband’s arm, and sprang lightly down 
the steps. 

Aunt Adelaide turned to Mrs. Kinnard as if she said, 

There, I told you how it would be ! ” 

“ Can I go? ” asked Bertie timidly. 

“ Indeed you cannot. Do you suppose they would be 
jothered with you ? I was glad to see you decline, Maud : 
she only asked you out of compliment. You must re- 
member this, my dear, and not put yom’self forward. 
Poor children ! You have lost your father as surely as if 
he were dead. ’ 


CHAPTER IV. 


“We have a vision of our own, 

Ah, why should we undo it? ” — Wokdswobth, 

The house stood a hundred feet or so from the stieet, 
On one side was a chestnut-grove ; on the other flower, 
fruit, and vegetable gardens. It was on high ground, 
and at the back sloped quite precipitately, with an air of 
wildness. A small stream ran through this, which was a 
favorite resort with the doctor, who wended his way to the 
brow of it with a familiar unconsciousness. 

“What an enchanting nook!” and Nellie paused 
6uddenly. 

“ Do you like it? I am so glad! ** with a sense of 
relief. “ I am an old fogy, I suspect, although I have 
been so uncommonly frisky for a month ; and I was just 
wondering, Nelly — ah, you are going to laugh at me.” 

“And, like the children, ‘ you won’t tell me just for 
that.’ But I am not going to laugh at you ; and I do want 
your confldence.” 

She glanced up with a sweet frankness that won him to 
proceed. 

“ I was just wondering whether I had any right to 
x>vet your youth and brightness, when I could give jou 
90 little in return.” 

“ Little ! Do you call your love a small thing? Is it 
to be that — tell me? ” in her pretty, imperious manner. 

“ God forbid ! ” he answered solemnly. “ It is the pas- 
sion of my life.” Then with a sudden change of coloi 
4 37 


38 


NELLY KINNAIID’S KINGDOM. 


and tone, “But the house seems a dull cage to put you 
in, my darling. Will you show me how to make it 
brighter, — like the home I took you from? ” 

“ Gladly, if I may. I shall want to spend half the 
summer in these enchanting woods. I have no sewing to 
do, and no parish-visiting; so I shall be as idle as a 
butterfly.’’ 

“ I shall take you out to drive with me. There are 
many pretty little villages around. Then there is a very 
passable library in town, to which I always subscribe, as a 
public-spirited citizen should. And there are some pleas- 
ant people, only I don’t seem to know much about the 
women in a social way ; ” and he made a grimace as he 
drew her down beside him on a rustic seat. 

It was so peaceful and di’eamy, that Nelly, instead of 
replying, fell into a revery. Her dream of the new home 
had been rather highly colored, perhaps. Dr. Kinnard 
was as unlike her father as possible, though a fancied 
resemblance had won her in the beginning. He thought 
a great deal of his own personal comfort, and the things 
which pleased him ; tender, and with a deep sympath}^ 
when his nature was roused, yet lacking altogether that 
profound and vital Christian principle which actuated Mr. 
Endicott. Nelly had learned this during her month ot 
honeymoon. He had been boundlessly indulgent to her, — 
partly because he loved her very much, and partly because 
he had nothing else to do. She was not so unreasonable 
as to expect this always : in fact, life was too serious a 
problem to her to be spent in such sweet idleness. A 
gi’eab work lay before her; but how was she to begin? 
Would he help her in it, guide with his maturer judgment, 
strengthen her with the earnest manliness that was a part 
of his nature in his profession ? 

“What now, little one?” for the keen eyes had been 
studying her. Down in his heart he had a fear of yearn- 
ing homesickness for kitli and kin at Wachusett. 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


39 


i5he flashed and smiled. “I was only thinking/* she 
made answer. 

“ Of home ? ** he asked almost jealously. 

“•No, not of home/* in her clear, frank tone, raising 
her soft dark eyes to his, — “ of my life here ; of what 
I must do.’* 

“ The gi’eat thing is to be happy. I am not going to 
have your young face clouded with cares and worries.** 

“ I hope it will not cloud easily,** she replied with 
tender gravity. 

“ I want it bright and sweet for myself, selfish old fel- 
low that I am ; ** and he laughed. 

There seemed so much to say! yet how could she 
approach so delicate a matter? When Dr. Kinnard 
chose to ignore, or pass over any subject, he did it in a 
quietly persistent manner. Circumstances, and the kind 
of women with whom his life had been passed, had ren- 
dered this necessary as a sort of armor. He allowed the 
household to have its own way, except where it interfered 
with him personally. When his mother had first come to 
Edgerly, there had been an undercurrent of bickering and 
complaint. He tried his best to heal and smooth, then gave 
it up firmly. “ Settle your own affairs,” he would say. 
By holding aloof, he preserved the better his own authority 
when he did speak. Both women found there was a limit 
they could not pass, and that he would not commit him- 
self to either side. The eternal discussion of things, that 
seems to afford many women unalloyed satisfaction, proves 
a bore to most men. 

And, though Nelly felt in a most confidential and ques- 
tioning mood, she wisely refrained, turning her attention 
to the landscape, and picking out two or three points that 
were great favorites with him. It was so delightful to 
have a companion who could appreciate something beyond 
a ball-dress. And there they sat until the twilight gloom 
began to gather. 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


40 


“ Come, it is growing aamp,” he said suddenly. 

“ And we have staid away too long already ; but it wai 
80 beautiful ! Why, it is all like a picture.’’ 

“ It was pretty rough and wild when I first came here, 
and had been shamefully neglected. But I was tired of 
the city, and took a great fancy to it. Mat has a good 
deal of taste too. He is always surprising me by some 
improvement. I like to have such work done without 
being pestered by a thousand questions. I don’t expect 
him to understand a case of fever ; but I might reasonably 
imagine him to know about landscape-gardening.” 

“ He is very fond of you, isn’t he? ” 

“Well, yes. I was his friend through some hard 
trouble. He had a drunken termagant for a wife ; and I 
do suppose she beat and neglected his little baby so that 
it was a clear case of murder ; only the law couldn’t well 
take hold of it. Then Mat fell sick, and I had him 
brought over here, and put her in jail to keep her away 
from him. One day she was going on worse than usual, 
when she was taken with a fit, fell down stairs, and broke 
her neck, and poor Mat was free,” 

“ What a terrible story ! ” 

“Yes. So the poor fellow staid right along with me. 
That must be seven years ago. He is as good as any two 
men I ever had, and, in some ways, handy as a woman. 
He always sweeps my rooms, and looks after my belong- 
ings. Then he has that old country respect, which is quite 
refreshing in these da3"s of insolent independence.” 

They sauntered indoors, unconscious of the unfriendly 
ciiticisms of the last half-hour. The lamp was already 
lighted ; and Nelly felt a little conscience-smitten. 

“Where is Bertie?” asked his father with a quick 
glance. 

“ His hour for retiring is invariably eight. — I think, 
Mrs. Kinnard,” addressing Nelly, “that there is nothing 
like regularity in bringing up children. I have had the 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


41 


care of Herbert from his birth, and he has a peculiar 
will,” — “ like his father,” she longed to add, — “ and it 
does not answer to allow him to overstep the slightest 
boundary.” 

Nelly acknowledged with a slight bow the honor of a 
remark addressed exclusively to herself. She glanced 
at Maud, who seemed to be in the same position on the 
ottoman that she was an hour ago ; but in her eyes there 
was a very weary look. 

“ Doctor,” began Miss Grove presently, “ your mother 
and I have been discussing another point, which we refer 
to you. Of course, you will have some kind of a recep- 
tion to introduce Mrs. Kinnard into her new sphere. 
What do you say to next Wednesday evening?' 

Dr. Kinnard looked helplessly at his new wife 

“ Is it necessary? Do you care, Nelly? ” 

“Necessary!” echoed Miss Grove indignantly. 
“Why, yes, unless a man marries a woman of whom he 
is ashamed.” 

“ Then let us have it, by all means. Next week 
Wednesday. I must remember and not make any en- 
gagement. There must be some kind of supper, I sup- 
pose ? And what else ? Dancing, and all that fol-de-rol ? '' 

“ K Airs. Kinnard desires dancing. I do not dance 
myself,” was the severe rejoinder. 

“I think a simple wedding-reception with a supper 
would be the best,” said Nelly quietly. “It is always 
pleasant to know the people among whom one's lot is 
east.” 

“There is some very good society at Edgeily and 
Westwood, though, no doubt, quite different from the 
narrow bounds of a single parish,” said Miss Grove. 

“ Our parish bounds were not very narrow,” was the 
gentle reply. 

“ Excuse me, I have always heard that Episcopalians 
were exceedingly exclusive. Of course, Mrs. Kinnard, 


42 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


you will make your first appearance in your husband’* 
cliurch, as we have a family pew. And really, I believe 
the Episcopalians have not gained much of a foothold 
here. The old church is at the extreme end of the town, 
and is not considered at all fashionable.” 

“ Adelaide, we were discussing the party, if you 
please,” said the doctor pointedly. “ Will you take 
the management of it? There are a few people whom I 
would like to ask. — And, Nelly, I think you must send 
for Daisy. — And will you,” glancing at Miss Grove, 
“ learn what will be needed, and let Mat order it?” 

“ Certainl3^, since you put it into my hands. Then we 
will say Wednesday evening of next week. I shall wrrite 
the invitations myself, as they are considered much more 
stylish. You can hand me your list to-morrow. Is that 
nine? — Maud, we must say good-evening, and retire. — 
Mrs. Kinnard, breakfast is at eight, dinner at half-past 
twelve, and supper at six, invariably, whether the doctor 
is here or not. Irregular meals betoken a very careless 
household, in my estimation ; and there is nothing like 
system for young people. — Say good-night, Maud.” 

The elder lady bowed with sweeping stiflTness, and 
Maud with almost comical primness. No tender good- 
night kiss, no cordial wishes. The doctor gave a care- 
less nod, as if he was glad to be rid of them thus easily. 
Then he turned to his mother, and began to make some 
casual inquiries as to what had transpired in his absence. 

Mrs. Kinnard, senior, had been scrutinizing the prett} 
doll her son had so foolishly married. Oddly enough; 
from her first entrance as an inmate of her son’s house, 
she had been afraid he would marry Adelaide Grove. 
Both women had tried hard for the supremacy ; but Miss 
Grove kept that over the children, and the rule of the 
household, in some degree. But when his engagement to 
that designing young flirt. Miss Endicott, was announced, 
his mother was astounded. 


NELLY KlNNARD’S KINGDOM. 


43 


♦‘Barton,” she said, “there is no need whatever of 
your marrying again. Adelaide can look after the chil- 
dren ; and I can supervise the house. You will find that 
you are plunging ^^ourself into a sea of trouble. But, if 
yon must marry, Adelaide would be so much more suita- 
ble. Slie is nearer to the children than any stranger can 
5e ; she is experienced, and ” — 

But Mrs. Kinnard was not suffered to recount the 
newly discovered virtues of Adelaide Grove. 

“Mother,” said Dr. Kinnard, with a solemnity that 
efifectually hushed caviling, “I pleased you years ago 
by marr 3 ung Maiy Grove : now I shall please myself b^ 
marrying Nell}^ Endicott. As for the children, in their 
own mother’s lifetime they were left to the care of ser- 
vants and Aunt Adelaide. When the}’ are old enough, 1 
shall send them away to school. Miss Endicott has beei 
brought up amongst children ; and, if I were to die in a 
year’s time, I could leave mine in no better hands. I 
hope you will love and welcome her as a daugr'tr; bet 
I am marrying her for myself alone.” 

Mrs. Kinnard was awed by her son’s mauiv v' and she 
admitted to herself that he was of an Mjatiiiate turn. 
But now she fancied that it really had heiTj the desire of 
her life, instead of the di-ead, that Adelaide should fill 
this position. So the two women formed s tacit league, 
cemented by mutual disappointment. If Dr. Kinnard 
had not married at all. Miss Grove would have been 
satisfied ; but that he should dare to choose youth and 
beauty in preference to experience and monej^ was an 
insult. Since she could not venture to retaliate upon 
him, she nm’sed her indignation, and kept it warm for 
the new-comer. 

Nelly understood, and was chilled by the coldness. 
She tried to keep up a little conversation ; but it was 
diflScult. Dr. Kinnard was annoyed by his mother’s 
want of cordiality, yet he felt that some excuse was due 


44 


NELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM. 


her age, and that, at her time of life, people did not readily 
adapt themselves to changes. But it was so different a1 
the rectory ! That atmosphere of love, and frank, unaf 
fected gayet}", had in it such an air of wholesome, winning 
warmth; it so soon broke through the crust of selfish 
reserve ; it gave so freely of its best, making a contin- 
aal feast, alike for the chosen guest, the wayfarer, and 
the home-circle. 

It was a relief when the eider lady retired. Aunt Ade- 
laide had not condescended to make a second appearance. 

Nelly drew a long breath. Dr. Kinnard roused him- 
self from a mood of thoughtfulness. 

“ I daresay you are tired to death. I’ll take a look in 
the office, and then we will go up stall's.” 

“ Oh ! let me go with you. I want to see your den ; ” 
and Nell^^’s face was so animated and eager, that he 
smiled fondly. 

“ Come along, then. I’ll call Jane to shut up the 
parlor. It’s a dreary place to me: parlors always are — 
except yours at the rectory.” 

“ That was hardly a parlor. Do you know I like the 
old term so much better, — drawing-room? It seems as 
if people might draw together from mutual interest and 
sympathy ; but the word ‘ parlor ’ makes me think of a 
room handsomely furnished, and darkened to sombreness, 
where you receive ceremonious calls.” 

He laughed. They had crossed the hall ; and, finding 
the door locked, he said, — 

“ I will go around and open it. Nay, don’t come. 
You’ll break your neck over the rubbish.” 

She had learned in her month of honeymoon that Dr. 
Kinnard was prompt to exact obedience in little things. It 
fretted him to have a person disregard his orders, and do 
something a little different, when the first request would 
have been no more trouble. There was no foolish pride 
on Nelly’s part ; perhaps because her mother had set that 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


45 


noblest of all examples, — obedience. There had been 
a certain riotous lawlessness at the rectory, though it was 
more exuberance of spirit than any positive disregard of 
authority. 

“ I have kept you waiting,’’ he said in apology. “ 
lamp w^as not in perfect order. This is my office. Does 
it wear a formidable aspect? ” 

“ On the contrary, I think it the most homelike plac^ 
I have seen. Why, you are a very king here,” she said 

gayiy- 

The room was large, with three windows across the 
front, and a side-entrance leading out on a smaller porch, 
much used by the doctor and his patients. On the hall- 
side it was filled with book-shelves, with the exception of 
the doorway, and also the corner by the chimney. On 
the opposite side stood a great Turkish lounge, covered 
in russet leather, and several capacious arm-chairs. The 
carpet was soft, and in rich, subdued colors. There was 
a large table in the centre, covered with books and pam- 
phlets, and just over this a swinging-lamp, with a white 
porcelain shade. Then there were pictures, brackets, 
busts, antique vases, and various odds and ends, that 
only a man with a peculiar and cultivated taste would be 
likely to collect. 

“And this is my ‘den.’ It is in confusion now; for 
Adelaide sent down some of the things that used to be in 
the sleeping-room.” 

“ I thought that looked exceeding^ bare and prim,” 
Nelly said mirthfully. “ May I not make a raid, and 
reclaim some of them? or do you delight in confusion?” 

“Well, not exactly. You see, the women are forbidden 
this part of the house. I like Mat’s care better. He 
does not stow articles aw^ay in unheard-of places, and then 
argue an hour concerning the fitness and propriety of it.” 

Nelly had too much wisdom to resent the exchision of 
the family in general. Yet a kind of nearness and home- 


16 


NELLY KDTNARD’S KINGDOM. 


feeling was established at once between her and the 
rooms. This one contained an odd collection, — a large 
piece of furniture, not unlike an old-fashioned mahogany 
sideboard, with capacious closets at the bottom, and sev- 
eral rather curiously carved shelves at the top, on which 
jv^as a promiscuous collection ; a wardrobe ; a roomy 
writing-desk ; and a great square-cornered sofa, where one 
might sleep very comfortably indeed. 

“ You see,*’ went on the doctor in an explanatory 
manner, “ I do sleep here a great deal. Mother, Aunt 
Adelaide, and the children have the rooms over opposite 
There is a stairway here, which leads to the room above : 
so you see, by that means, I keep quite to myself. That 
connects again with the spare chamber, our room.” 

“ Then I can visit you without any trouble, as I foresee 
already that I shall take a great fancy to this ‘ den * of 
yours. Do not be surprised if I bring a work-basket and 
a rocking-chair, and make myself at home.” 

He shrugged his shoulders, and bestowed upon her a 
humorous smile. 

“Will you allow me to light a cigar, Mrs. Kinnard? 
I am full of confirmed bachelor-habits ; and I cannot 
give up the privileges of this den.” 

She nodded a gay little assent. He came and sat down 
on the sofa, put his arm around her, and drew her nearer 
to him. It was so strange, and yet so delightful, to have 
some one to pet; though there was an occasional shy 
awkwai’dness that amused Nelly. 

“ I hope you will soon get to feeling at home,” he 
began presently. 

“ I shall do my best. And if they wUl all love me a 
little ”— 

“ Will not my love satisfy? ” 

“ But have I not taken upon myself duties towards 
the others as well? The children ” — 

“ Aunt Adelaide is to teach them, for the present. 


NELLY KINNARDS KINGDOM. 


47 


WTien they are a little older, I shall pack them off to 
school.” 

It sounded so hard and unsympathetic to her, fresh 
from a centre of family affection. It would be an easy 
way of solving the difficulty, no doubt. 

“ I cannot help but think that home is the best place 
for a girl ; that is, if it is the right kind of a home.” 

“ Exactly, Nelly. But, with all due deference to your 
loving and generous heart, I think a few weeks will con- 
vince you that there are some very inharmonious influ- 
ences here, and that this cannot truly be called a model 
home. Maud, as you must have seen to-night, is a per- 
fect little prig. I don’t complain of her quiet, or her 
nice manners, but the primness, and air of consequence. 
She knows that when she is of age she will have quite a 
little fortune. The money their mother left was invested, 
and will not be touched until then. Bertie is rough in 
many ways, and has serious faults ; but I have insisted 
that he should not be clipped and trained into a Miss 
Nancy. I cannot abide girlish boys. Aunt Adelaide has 
queer notions, and is sure her way is best and right.” 

“ Must she have charge of the children? ” asked Nelly 
timidly. 

“ I couldn’t well send her away. She came here at 
Bertie’s birth ; and she was needed sorely enough, God 
knows. She was very different from — the children’s 
mother. After her death, she took sole charge of them ; 
and I must admit they have not lacked any material 
comfort. I daresay you have discovered by this time, 
Nelly, that I am not extravagantly fond of children.” 

She had, indeed. She saw how very easily she coulc 
crowd them out of their father’s heart. 

“ I suppose it is a fault. While I could never beat or 
starve a little child, or thwart it of any needful pleasure, 
still childi’en do not interest me as a book or an educated 
comp/^ion does. Therefore I was relieved to have Aunt 


48 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


Adelaide take them so completely off my hands. And 
I felt it would be really ungenerous to refuse her a year 
or two more, because I had consulted my own pleasure in 
marrying you.^^ 

“ You were quite right there, I think. It would have 
been very hard.” 

“ You see, I never expected to marry. But at last I 
began to long for a little dark-eyed witch, my neighbor'**^ 
daughter ; and my resolves were scattered to the winds.” 

“And if you should repent?” 

“Nelly, you must not let me!” and he pressed hex 
closer, with a vehement clasp. “I am not fickle or 
unreasonable in my demands, — queer, I may be. Can’t 
you take some of the quirks out of me? — not by any 
sudden wrenching-off, but the gentler treatment, when a 
man’s vanity is not wounded, and he doesn’t realize that 
he is being managed. I think there may be some good 
traits in my nature ; but they have been overlaid with 
rubbish of all sorts.” 

“ It will be my first entertaining duty to go on a. 
voyage of discovery,” she answered playfully. 

“What were we talking of? Oh! Aunt Adelaide. 
Well, you see at this juncture, I could not well send 
her away, or refuse her the oversight of her sister’s 
children for a while longer. But when they go to school, 
— ah, Nelly, I have solved the puzzle I ” and he laughed 
heartily, in his mellow, wholesome manner. 

“You will prescribe matrimony? Ah, you see I am 
good at guessing ; ” and she gave an audacious little smile. 

“But who will bell the cat?” and an expression of 
comical anxiety pervaded his face. 

“Ah! your expedient has one weak side. No doubt 
there are men who would be only too glad to take Miss 
Grove and her money ; but she is too wise a woman to 
make a very poor bargain. And she may have had 
some ” — 


NELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM. 

“Love-episode, you think? No: I don’t believe hei 
heart is in any one’s grave. But we must make the bwt 
of her as she is ; and you must not feel hurt, my darling, 
at any coldness or reserve on her part.” 

He pressed his young wife to his heart. She was 
pretty and sweet, and had that beguiling way of womanly 
wisdom which enchanted him, while he had not abounding 
faith in it. He had seen so much of life, of women, of 
matrimony, that sometimes he was tempted to scoff a 
little. And yet he felt, that, for the first time, a true and 
simple love had blossomed in his pathway. No one 
should snatch it from him : he even hated to think that 
any one should share it. With the unreasonableness of 
a man’s strong and imperious passion, he half wished 
they could go away by themselves, and shut out the rest 
of the world. 


CHAPTER V. 


^ He that hath a victory lost 
May discomfit yet a host; 

And it often doth befall, 

He who conquers loses all.” 

Nell^ »lept late the next morning, and had just time to 
hurry down to breakfast. Jane was inexorable about the 
meals, as tar as the family were concerned, and agreed 
famously on this point with Miss Adelaide ; but to the 
master she was all indulgence. She would leave any 
work to spread a dainty feast for him. She had not ap- 
proved of this marriage. 

“It’s a foolish thing; and the doctor will be sorry 
enough when he comes to his senses,” she said to Mat on 
the wedding-day. “But men never do know when they 
are well off. I’m not going to have any pert young thing 
ordering around in my kitchen, I can tell you ! ” 

So when Jane met her in the hall, in the bloom and 
freshness of her youth, and her pretty white morning- 
dress, with roses at her throat, leaning so familiarly on 
the arm of the doctor (whom she respected to the utter- 
most, and really felt a little afraid of), a frown darkened 
her face. 

The rest were in theii* places. Maud looked thinner 
and more sallow in her yellowish brown-linen dress, elab- 
orately embroidered with black, the i-uffle of the same 
not relieved in the slightest. Both children responded 
rather shyly to Nell/s joyous good-morning. The ladies 
made a few commonplace comments ; the doctor talked a 
60 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


61 


little business ; and the meal was hurried through. Out* 
side, countless roses were blooming ; but not one graced 
the table or the apartment. 

“ Will you give me the list of people whom you would 
like invited next week?” asked Miss Grove, as she rose. 

“ Yes — Nelly, come in the oflSce a moment, will you? ” 
and the doctor placed his hand on her shoulder. 

Maud stared. So did Jane, who had just entered to 
remove the breakfast-dishes. Asked in the office, where 
no one else was tolerated ! 

Nelly followed, unconscious of the great favor. 

Mrs. Kinnard turned to Miss Grove. “ What shall wc 
order for dinner to-day?” She alwa3"s consulted Mis.* 
Grove, though at first she had made a gi’eat effort to get 
the supreme power in her hands. She looked after the 
house, did the mending, and was the intermediate link 
between Jane and Miss Grove. 

All parties would have been still further scandalized 
had thej^ seen the doctor kiss Nelly’s peachy cheek, and 
turn her around in undisguised admiration. 

“ Now, my dear girl, if j^ou will sit down and scribble 
off* a list of names for me, while I look over a few busi- 
ness matters. I ought to have done it last night, instead 
of making love to j^ou ; and there will be no rest for 
Aunt Adelaide until this party is well under way,” 

“ And 3*ou don’t like parties? ” 

“Who said I didn’t, eh? I am not quite an old bear! 
I'here will be some pleasant people, whom I really do 
want you to know. And it is the fashion, I suppose. 
The part I shall not enjoy is the being up on exhibition. 
But if people will dance, thej^ must pay the piper.” 

Nelly smiled, and said she was ready. 

Dr. Kinnard repeated a few names, and then lost him- 
self in some perplexing figures. Rousing suddenly, and 
seeing Nelly in an expectant attitude, he went on, with 
sundry breaks, until the list was finished. 


62 


NELLY KINNABD’s KINGDOM. 


He ran his eyes over it. ‘‘1 daresay it will vei Aunt 
Adelaide a little ; but I want some of my friends as v/ell. 
Now run and get yourself ready, and we will go in town.” 

Nelly made her bed, dusted her antique furnitm*e, ex- 
plored her closets, hung up a few dresses, and then put 
on her pretty silvery gray suit. She laid her hat and 
gloves on the bed, and sat down by the window to wait, 
espying Bertie off in the distance, climbing a fence. 
The scene was delightful, varied by little hills with breaks 
between, and the river winding about in the distance. 
Presently a bell rang that set Nelly to wondering. 

It was for Herbert, but had to be rung sharply a second 
time. Then he came hurrying up the steps in a noisj 
fashion. 

“ Herbert,” said his aunt, “ go down stairs, and come 
up as a gentleman should. I am ashamed of you this 
morning. Ever since you have been allowed to go over 
in the woods, you have grown wilder and ruder.” 

He came up, and the door was closed. Nelly was tired 
of her lonely idleness, and began to unpack a few articles. 
What a dreary look the room had, and the parlor down 
stairs! Would she ever feel at home? Would she ever 
dare to say, ‘‘Mother'’ to Mrs. Kinnard. She winked 
1 tear out of the corner of her e3^e. And here were her 
pretty vases and ornaments, bridal gifts some of them. 
She would have the brackets put up ; and, when the new 
fbriiiture came, her room should be bright and cheerful. 

“ Nelly,” called the doctor ; and she ran down. 

“ Here is one of my good friends, to whom I want to 
introduce you, — Judge Denslow.” 

Nelly bowed to a short, stout, fresh-colored, and good- 
humored person ; and there followed a little pleasantry, 
with congratulations. 

“ Are you out for a morning-wall?:?” noticing her hat. 

Oh, no I I ” — and Nelly Looked at her husband with 
t sudden flush. 


NELLY KENNARD’S KINGDOM. 


51 


I was to take her out/" interposed the doctor. 

“■Really, Mrs. Kinnard, you have made a good begin 
ning. Now, I always have to wait for my women-folks 
The sex, as a general thing, is half an hour behindhand."* 

“Tliat is something of a libel. Say the exceptiicna 
are,*" she returned. 

“ It wouldn"t do for me to go back on my word, you 
see: I should lose weight;"" and there was a mirthful 
twinkle in his eye. 

Another interruption occurred. “ The doctor was 
wanted right away at Mis" Gale"s. Mr. Gale had been in 
cramps all night. They only heard an hour ago that the 
doctor was home. The wagon was here, and he could go 
right back."" 

“Very well: I won"t be long, Nelly. — Don"t hurry 
off, judge;"" and, seizing his hat, the doctor vanished. 
Judge Denslow remained a while longer, then made his 
adieus. Nelly looked over the books, straightened a pic- 
ture, dusted the furniture, and gave an air of tidiness to 
the place, without any officious meddling or neatness. 
Then she glanced in the “ den."" How she should like to 
take some nice quiet day, — ah ! all days would be quiet 
enough here, — and make this room pretty and homelike ! 
rShe had an inward fancy that she should use it a great 
deal. The sitting-room did not look very cosey or invit- 
ing’, and there was no other refuge beside her own 
apartment. She could sew here, and read ; and her hus- 
band would have a welcome smile the instant he entered 
:h 3 house. 

He rushed in then. “ Oh, here yon are ! "" he cried 
in a quick tone. “ I was detained longer than I expected. 
Mat has Dolly all ready : so come along."" 

With that he hurried her out, and packed her into the 
buggy ; and in a minute they were spinning down the 
road. She thought about the list of invitations that was 
lying on the study-table ; but she would not annoy him 
now by speaking of it. 6* 


54 


NELLY KTNNABD’S K^SUDOM. 


There were a few calls on the way ; and several friends 
came out to the carriage to see the doctor^s new wife. Illtj 
marriage had taken Edgeiiy quite by surprise ; because 
most people, if they thought about it at all, fancied he 
would end by marrying Miss Grove. 

Edgerly was a rather pretty town, being built partly on 
the side-hill, where the rows of cottages and terraced 
gardens reminded Nelly of a Swiss picture. The business 
streets wore a brisk air, with their stores and offices, and 
the continual passing of pedestrians. 

“We haven’t said a word about what we want,” ex- 
claimed the doctor suddenly. “ I don’t believe I know 
much about such affairs. I never furnished a room in my 
life. When it is done, I can tell whether I like it or 
not.” 

“You mean to refurnish it completely?” asked Nelly 
rather timidly. 

“ Why, of course. We must have something that 
looks a little more like you. We need a pretty carpet to 
begin with ; and here is just the place.” 

So they went in ; and the clerks displayed their wares 
with alacrity. For a moment an odd misgiving crossed 
Nelly’s mind. How rich was Dr. Kinnard, and ought she 
to buy a beautiful Brussels carpet for her sleeping-room ? 
But the doctor tumbled them over, examined, and finally 
narrowed the choice to thi-ee, all of which were unusually 
pretty, Nelly thought : so her scruples went to the winds, 
and she made her selection. 

“And now for some furniture. Nelly, I suppose you 
have a woman’s love for the regulation black walnut?” 

“ I really do not know,” was the slow reply. 

“ Perhaps I associate it a great deal with sickness,” he 
said. “ But, in spite of its richness, it has a gloomy look 
to me, as if it was more fit for dowagers than j oung 
wives. I am a queer old fellow, am I not ? ” 

Nelly smiled, and resolved that the room should be 


NELLY KINNAKD’S KINGDOM. 


66 


light and bright. After some search, they found a suit to 
their taste, and ordered it. 

“Upon my word,” declared the doctor, “you must be 
an exception in shopping. Here we are all through, and 
with some time still on our hands. Let me see — we can 
drop into the library ; and I will introduce you to Mr. 
Grey. And there is quite a pretty picture-store, where 
I have fallen into the bad habit of idling away my time. 
It will not look quite so grand after our city experiences ; 
but now we have come back to plain country-life.” 

Nelly thought of the dinner, and would not allow him 
to loiter so much to-day. But then he wanted to show 
her one of his favorite drives, and it was the longest way 
home. The family were seated around the table, and the 
dessert had been brought on. 

“ You left no word,” began Miss Grove ; “ and I do 
endeavor to make my own and the children’s habits 
regular.” 

“ Oh, that is all right enough I ” he replied, as Nelly 
went to take off her hat and gloves. Then he glanced 
over the table. “Has any thing been kept warm?” he 
asked. 

“ How could Jane, when she did not know what time 
you might be expected?” was the reply, in a complaining 
tone. 

Nelly returned at that moment, and took her seat beside 
her husband. Miss Grove sat at the head of the table, 
with a child on either hand. Dr. Kinnard was a trifle 
touched and mortified to have NeUy crowded into a 
secondary place. She ought to be mistress. And this 
coCd meat was not very inviting, carved half an hour ago, 
nor the lukewarm vegetables. But, while he was con- 
sidering, an imperative summons came for him. 

“I must go straight to Lakeland,” he said; “ and i 
may not be back until evening.” Then he lapsed into 
silence and hunied eating ; while Mrs. Kinnard and Miss 
Grove kept up a small stream of neighborhood gossip. 


66 


NELLY KENNARD’S IONGDOM. 


Nelly followed him to the office, and made her adieus 
out of the reach of prying eyes. 

“ Don’t get lonesome, little girl. I wish I could take 
you ; but I cannot now. Good-by.” 

She had not the courage to go back and finish her des-’ 
sert, though she admitted rather grimly to herself that 
she was still hungry. Bertie had half an hour for play at 
noon ; while Maud went to her music-practice. Nelly 
retired to her room, and settled a few more articles in the 
pantry. Then she bethought herself of letters to write ; 
and she had a presentiment that she could ■write better 
now than when she came to have more experience with 
the household, since at present she could judge them as 
strangers. 

She went down to the office, and ensconced herself in 
an easy-chair, finding so much to say, that the time passed 
rapidly. Once her attention was aroused by a pretty 
pony-phaeton being driven to the door. Aunt Adelaide 
and Maud stepped off the porch, and took their seats. 
Then the house grew lonesomely quiet; for Bertie had 
gone out to play. After her letters were finished, she 
took a short walk, but met no one. Even Mrs. Kinnard 
did not seem to be visible anywhere. She was thankful 
to hear the tea-bell ring, though she felt something like 
an interloper, as she went out alone. 

“ Did you have a pleasant drive this afternoon, Maud,” 
she asked, when the silence grew oppressive. 

Maud glanced at Aunt Adelaide ; then, pursing up hei 
mouth, replied that it was pleasant. 

“ And you are very fond of it, I daresay. The pony 
and phaeton are a perfect match.” 

“ They are Aunt Adelaide’s,” volunteered Bertie. 

“ Herbert ! ” said his aunt warningly. 

I suppose you would like to have a pony of your very 
own, Bertie?” Nelly ventured in a Mendly tone, desirous 
of being social with some one. 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


57 


“ You bet ! ” was the eager, boyish reply. 

“ Herbert, leave the table immediately. How often 
have I told you that I will not tolerate slang ; and this ia 
the second time I have had to speak to you,” said his 
annt in a severe tone. 

“ O 'Miss Grove ! allow me to intercede for him,* 
exclaimed Nelly, blushing like a culprit herself; and 
Bertie hesitated a moment, with his eyes fixed upon 
her. 

“ Herbert, you will go straight to bed for this disobe- 
dience, I shall come up to your room presently. — Mrs. 
Kinnard, I beg leave to explain that I have the care of 
these motherless children. Your good sense will show 
you that any interference is not only injudicious, but quite 
unfortunate in regard to them. Too man}^ masters end 
by spoiling the child, as I have explained to the doctor ; 
and you will admit that obedience is a child’s first and 
best lesson. Without that, you cannot do any thing.” 

Herbert went reluctantly. For an instant, indignation 
threatened to overmaster Nelly ; but, with a strong effort 
at self-control, she kept silent, though her face was 
burning with a crimson fiush. She felt, that, if Dr. 
Kinnard had been present. Miss Grove would not have 
dared quite so much. It was cruel, too, to send a hungry 
child to bed supperless ; and she could not but feel that 
all this assumption of authority was an insult to her. 

“ We called at the Blairs’ to-day,” began Miss Grove, 
addressing the elder Mrs. Kinnard. “ They are still in 
grief about their son’s unfortunate marriage.” 

“ Oh, do tell me ! Will they recognize her? Such a 
shameless thing as it was ! ” 

“ They have not asked hei home yet. Walter Blair has 
come into possession of his uncle’s estate, you know ; and 
they mean to go to housekeeping there immediately. I 
suppose she cannot be kept out of society'.” 

Nelly was not paying much attention to the subject ; 


68 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


but she learned presently that Mrs. Walter Blair had beet 
a mill-hand, and that her mother, who was a widow, kept 
some boarders. And that this young woman should 
presume to marry into one of the old families was con- 
sidered a capital crime on her part. The dividing lines, 
it seemed, were very strongly drawn at Edgerly; and, 
as Nelly listened to the narrow and selfish strictures, she 
was thankful that her father was a clergyman, even if he 
was poor. 

Mrs. Kinnard retired to the sitting-room, and took up 
some netting. Maud followed her aunt. Nelly sat silent, 
every pulse still fiaming with resentment. It was plain 
that these women meant to do nothing for her comfort 
or happiness. She had said she would be patient, and 
win their love ; hut, oh, how hard the task was likely to 
prove ! 

A few tears dropped silently as the keen sense of in- 
justice burned at her heart. Jane cleared away the 
things, lighted the hall-lamp, and disappeared amid her 
kitchen - duties. Nelly counted the weary moments. 
She knew it would be useless to settle herself to read- 
ing : so she sat and thought of the happy home she had 
left, of the community of kindly interests, the tender 
affection that was not ashamed of making itself known. 

Did she hear a wagon? Yes: that was her husband. 
She sprang up, and ran through the hall, to find both 
doors locked on the inside. He had entered evidently 
f"om the side- way ; for now she could hear his step. 

“ Barton I ” she cried eagerly, — “ Barton, let me in 1 

The door was opened. 

“Who locked this door?’* she said with sudden heat. 
Was she to be considered an intruder everywhere? 

“ Why, Jane must have turned the keys. She has 
done it a good deal to keep Bertie out, as he has a pro- 
pensity for meddling ; and didn’t Aunt Adelaide go out?’ 

“ But I was here myself until after five ; and. Barton 


KELLY KINKARD’s KINGDOM. 


6 $ 


no seiTant has a right to lock me out of any room in my 
husband’s house ! ” 

“ Upon my word, you are brilliant enough for a traged;^ 
queen ! I don’t imagine she thought of you. She might 
have heard you going out, and come to see who it was, 
then turned the keys by way of precaution. I sometimes 
leave chemicals about. There, don’t get so excited over a 
trifle. What, crpng too!” for, as he kissed her. he felt 
a tear on her cheek. 

“ I have been so miserably lonesome, and ” — but she 
checked herself. This was no time for complaint : so she 
added, “ Have you had any supper?” 

“ No ; but Jane will give me a cup of tea. She looks 
out for me at such times.” 

“ Cannot 1 go and make it for you? ” she asked with a 
sudden intense longing to have some active share in his 
life. 

“ Not to-night, dear. There, that is Jane’s signal,’’ 
as a little bell was rung. “ Stay here until I return 
When I want extra meals, I go out in the kitchen, and sup 
by myself. You see, it would make no end of trouble to 
keep the table standing, or reset it.” 

“Well, let me go with you;” and she glanced up 
beseechingly. 

“ I will not be five minutes.” 

She clung closer to him. “Why should I not go out 
and pour your tea, or cut your bread?” she cried. 
“ Surely I am no fine lady ; and you know it well.” 

“ Jane doesn’t arrange for company ; and she might 
feel — in fact, it was a sort of agreement 3ntered into 
'ong ago. Once cannot make much diflference to you.” 

“ It makes a good deal of difierence to-night,” she said 
gravely. “ Am I not to be Jane’s mistress ? ” 

“ My dear Nelly, I am afraid Jane would not brook a 
mistress in the ordinary use of the term. Mother and 
Aunt Adelaide have both tried it ; and it came to an open 


60 


NELLY KINNARD’s KINGDOM. 


contest. If Jane remained, no one was to inteifere with 
her in the kitchen. She is a faithful and capable woman, 
and I should be sony to lose her. I had trouble enough 
before she came.’’ 

“As if my going out and sitting beside you would 
make any trouble,” persisted Nelly. 

“ Jane would take umbrage. I know her weU. There, 
my dear, let me go for this once. Next time we will have 
it different.” 

He unclasped her hands, and she sat down quietly, bui 
with a swelling heart. Had they all conspired against 
her ? Had they bound her husband to certain regulations 
before she came? and was he weak enough to purchase 
peace in that manner? 

He was not absent long. On his return, he picked hei 
up from the arm-chair, sat down, and took her on his 
knee. 

“ Well,” he began presently, seeing that she was silent, 
“ what have you been doing this afternoon? Did you 
get very lonesome ? ” 

“I was not lonesome until this evening,” she made 
answer. 

“It is a great change for you. I think we must ash 
one of the girls over ; for sometimes I cannot help staging, 
out late. Are you homesick so soon?” 

“ No, Barton, I am not homesick. I simply want a 
place, and something to do, some interest. Jane, ir 
seems, is to take charge of the house, and desires no inter 
ference. Miss Grove takes charge of the children, and 
desires no interference: so I almost wonder what you 
brought me here for.” 

“ To love me a little,” he answered with a tender 
gravity . “ I saw a pretty rose in my neighbor Endicott’s 

garden ; and I was foolish enough to sigh for its sweet- 
ness. Will its thorns prick me, or will it fade with 
dissatisfaction? Or will it be oatient a while, until cir- 
cumstances turn in its favor? ” 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 61 

Nelly’s heart beat tumultuously; and she glanced up 
with tears shining in her eyes. 

“ Perhaps it was not right or sensible in an old chap 
lilce me to so covet my neighbor’s goods ; ” and a sweet, 
rather humorous smile broke over the face. ‘ ‘ But I have 
done it, and, what is more, climbed the garden-wall, and 
carried ofl’ the rose which had lived in sunshine, calm, and 
sweet ; and here it finds the shade. Nelly, I have had a 
good deal of it in my life ; ” and his voice sank to a 
sudden seriousness. “ I have learned many things by 
experience, best of all, patience. There is a great deal 
that one can do by degrees, especially with women ; ” am! 
here he smiled with a peculiar twinlde in his eye. 

“ Oh ! ” she cried with remorseful tenderness, throwing 
her arms around his neck, “ I did mean to be so patient 
and tender and wise ; and here I am.” 

‘‘Not very thorny, after all, but quite as reasonable as 
one can expect at twenty, and only a month married.” 

“ How good you are ! And you are tired too: I can 
see it in your face. Can I not do something to comfort 
you ? ” 

He studied her for several moments with a curious 
interest, then said quietly, — 

“Was there any trouble beside locking the door, and 
being lonesome ? ” 

She colored a little. “ I did feel indignant at that, 
perhaps unwisely so,” she made answer, wondering if it 
was best to relate the other episode. Tale-bearing seemed 
so despicable to her. And, though Miss Grove appeared 
unreasonably severe, perhaps some check was necessary 
for Bertie. They might be different from most of the 
children she had seen : indeed, she thought they were. 

“ Because,” said the doctor, still watching her, “ that 
is not to happen again. The doors are not to be locked, 
except when we are both out. Only you must be a little 
watchful over my affairs.” . 

6 


62 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM 


“ I promise. Is Bertie never to be allowed in here? *' 

“ Isn’t the rest of the house large enough for twc 
children? I like to have one place sacred to myself.” 

“ Very well. Oh ! did you know that you did not give 
your list tc Miss Grove? It is there on the table.” 

Hew stupid ! Why did you not help me to remem 
bei it? I wonder if Adelaide wrote out the invitations 
I must call to her.” 

Miss Grove could not come down; but would Dr. 
Kinnard come up? 

The invitations had been written, and sent. However, 
she would look these over ; and she glanced down the list 
in dismay. 

“ It will not be at all select, if you mean to ask all 
these people,” she returned haughtily. 

“ I don’t care about the selectness. When I ask my 
friends, it is because I want them. But I would like to 
have the thing well over. It bores me thinking of it.” 

He was not as patient then as he had been with her. 
Nelly heard the words, and hugged a little secret joy close 
to her heart. It was just the transition, — the holiday 
laid aside, and the everj^-day life beginning ; and she couhl 
not expect it to be adjusted all in a minute. 

“ God give me wisdom and grace,” she prayed softty. 
“ Let not all the golden years of my childhood and girh 
flood be without fruit for autumn.” 


CHAPTER VI. 


** Men are made to be eternally shaken about ; but women are 
flowers that lose their beautiful color in the noise and tumult of 
life.” — J ean Paul. 

The carpet and furniture came ; and Nelly made her 
room a perfect bower. Some pictures were brought 
up stairs : she had her choice of them. She put up her 
brackets, and filled vases with fiowers, until it quite 
reminded her of the rectory, except that it was more 
beautiful. She went at the “den** too, in a frag- 
mentary, piecemeal way, straightening and retouching 
so by degrees, that her husband hardly remarked the 
change. Indeed, she was not ready for him to do so yet. 

Then began the great party preparations. Jane was 
deep in the mysteries of cooking and compounding, and 
cross accordingly. Her sister, quite a young woman, 
who staid at home with their invalid mother, and took 
in sewing, came over to help. The house was opened, 
swept, dusted, and every thing beaten about as if it had 
the accumulation of a century in it. Mrs. Kinnard wag 
giving orders here and there, quite in her element. The 
refreshment-table was to be arranged in the sitting-room, 
and the hall kept clear. Nelly smiled a little over the 
fiiss and confusion, half of it quite unnecessary. Just a 
cold lunch at dinner, and then on with the preparations. 
And at dusk it all looked stiff and formal, and was quiet 
as the giave ; for everybody had gone to dress. 

Nelly had spoken once of fiowers. Aunt Adelaida 
would make a bouquet for the table. 63 


64 


NELLY KINNAKD’S KINGDOM. 


“ But what I mean is to fill the vases, and stand then 
ever^vhere around.” 

“ They fall, and litter up the floor ; and I think flowers 
in rooms very unhealthy,” was Mrs. Kinnard’s reply, 
in no gracious tone. 

The children had been very shy since Bertie’s unfortu- 
nate episode, and Nelly had been busy; beside that, 
a secret sensitiveness which she did not want wounded 
it was best to wait. 

Edgerly did credit to itself and the wife of its favorite 
pliysician. Very few sent regrets. There was, no doubt, 
a good share of curiosity; and it was amply satisfied. 
Nelly looked her very prettiest in her light silk, — Ste- 
phen’s gift. She was sweet and gracious, and perfectly 
self-possessed. A young thing, to be sure ; but there 
would be years enough for her to grow older. 

Miss Grove would fain have kept the reception select. 
She had a great horror of mixed companies ; and, to her, 
“ set ” was every thing. It was not at all likety that 
Mrs. Kinnard would be guided by any one in her choice 
of friends, as she was a very headstrong young person. 
But Miss Grove could not resist explaining the position 
of a few of the guests. 

They ate and drank, and congratulated their host. 
The women talked gossip in knots ; and some of the men 
went into the office for a good comfortable smoke. The 
children remained up until ten, and were feasted no little, 
in spite of Aunt Adelaide’s sharp eyes : at least, Bertie 
managed to abstract a good share. Nelly was a little 
shocked at the greediness. Maud was stiff and woman- 
ish, and showed herself quite capable of criticising her 
now mother, as there were not lacking ill-judging people 
whose curiosity had to be appeased. 

But, somewhere about midnight, it was all over, to 
Nelly’s great relief. A few guests who came from a 
distance were to remain all night; and the confusion 


NELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM. 


65 


seemed so odd a thing in this house, that Nelly smiled 
to herself as she was drawn a little into the responsibility 
of providing for the comfort of others, in the capacity 
of hostess. It was destined to do a good work in this 
respect, — to open the way to her new sphere. 

She stood in the hall the next morning, rather awk- 
wardly waiting for all the family to assemble. Bertie^ s 
festive indulgence had taken effect in the shape of a 
severe attack of indigestion ; and for once Aunt Adelaide 
was a trifle late. Was it a golden opportunity? 

She touched her husband’s arm. “ Barton,” she began 
softly, flushing as she spoke, “do you not think it time 
that I took the head of my own table? I ought not 
always to be considered a visitor.” 

For a moment he looked puzzled. 

“ Would you rather that Miss Grove kept it? ” 

“Why, no. I did not think about it. Yes, it is 
right. You are mistress of me and mine : so come.” 

Miss Grove swept down stairs at that moment, a little 
flurried. “I am sorry to have kept 3nu waiting,” she 
began ; “ but sickness is sometimes peremptory.” 

“ You are scarcely flve minutes behind, Adelaide; and 
it does not signify. I think, too, we will release you 
from a few of jnur duties ; so that you may be able to 
feel more at liberty. Therefore I will install Mrs. Kin- 
nard at the head of the table. She is quite old enough a 
bride.” 

Miss Grove was pale naturally; but an ashen hue 
overspread her countenance. They had chosen their time 
opportunely, when there were visitors, and when she had 
failed a little in promptness. It would be ill bred to 
contest the point ; and, for the instant, she could think 
of nothing bitter to say, at least, that she dared say to 
her brother-in-iaw. 

NeUy took her seat with a quiet grace, and poured the 
coffee. Two of the gentlemen fell into a discussion with 

6 * 


66 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


Dr. Kinnard concerning the property, and the improve^ 
meats that had been made since it came into his hands. 

“ The credit being principally due to Mat,’* he said 
in a gay tone. “ He is my right-hand man. He never 
bothers me with details, but goes straight about his 
work, and calls me to look at it when it is done.” 

Is the doctor as liberally indulgent to you?” asked 
one of the ladies, turning to Nelly. “ K so, I think I 
should remodel the house.” 

“What is there about the house, Mrs. Glyndon? ” and 
the doctor glanced up sharply. 

“Well, this great hall, for instance. It seems so 
much waste room.” 

“Oh, I like it!” cried Nelly hastily. “It has such 
an hospitable air.” 

“But doesn’t it seem almost like eating out of doors? 
Now I should put in some sort of partition, and shut off 
the stairs, and make a snug little room.” 

“Little rooms are my abomination,” returned the doc- 
tor. “ And, since you can go up and down from the 
kitchen-way, and from the office, there is no great pub- 
licity in these stairs. They serve, too, to shut off this 
end from the hall-door. I shall not allow you to stir up 
Mrs. Kinnard to rebel against my hall. It is the apple 
of my eye, the one thing that decided me in buying the 
house. Now, if you could improve upon the rooms,-— 
they are rather gloomy, I think.” 

“ Mrs. Kinnard, don’t allow this golden opportunity to 
slip. It is your time now ; for husbands are more indul- 
gent in the first six months of matrimony than ever 
afterwards.” 

“ MTiat treason I ” 

“Indeed, it is not,” persisted Mrs. Glyndon. “ Can’t 
you have a bay-window put in somewhere? I have a 
mania for altering.” 

“As I know to my cost,” said Mr. Glyndon. “1 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


67 


occasionally wonder if it would not be cheaper to give hej 
a course of study on architecture, and have her experi- 
ment on my neighbors. Didn’t I hear of a woman once 
who built a house that was all closets ? ’ ’ 

“ But ours is not, I am sure. I want Mrs. Kinnard to 
come over and see it. And I have a lovely conservatory 
You are fond of flowers, of course?” 

“I have always lived among flowers,” returned Nelly 
‘•We used to have them in every room at home.” 

“Why don’t we have them here?” said the doctoi 
suddenly. “ I like flowers myself. It always goes to 
my heart to see a solitary plant blooming on some poor 
woman’s window-sill, or by the bed of a sick child. 
Nelly, Mat will be glad to cut them for you. They go 
to waste out of doors.” 

“And I shall be glad to bring them in, and cherish 
them a while. Thej" add such an air of cheerfulness.” 

“But do you think them healthy?” asked the elder 
Mrs. Kinnard. 

“ I never heard that florists died any sooner than other 
people,” said the doctor dryly. 

Mrs. Glyndon began to relate some of her experiences 
in floriculture. She was very bright and entertaining 
certainly. The group sipped their coflTee, and chatted, 
warming with the peculiar cordiality that lingering around 
a table invariably inspires. 

Miss Grove rose presently, straight and severe. 

“ I am afraid Jane will think us exceedingly dilatory,” 
she began, “ our household generally goes on with such 
regularity ; and you know a domestic, who has a great 
deal on her hands, feels the delay of an hour or two very 
sensibly. — Maud, you must go directly to your music. — 
Doctor, will you look at Herbert again, before you go 
out? ” 

Dr Kinnard bit his lip ; but there was a general disper- 
sion, And then Mr. Glyndon found that he had some 


68 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


business to do in town before he returned, and Mrs . Glyn 
don’s trifle of shopping must be attended to ; Mrs, 
Howard was anxious to take the next train ; and the gen- 
tlemen had interests and emplo^unents. 

How do 5’ou manage with the dragon?” whispered 
Mrs. GJyndon sl}ly as she was tying her bonnet. “ That 
woman would be the bane of my life. Do you know, we 
always fancied she would marry the doctor ? and I said it 
would be a shame. I am half in love with him myself ; 
and he deserves to be a very happy man. But I don’t 
quite see how 3^011 are to manage conlfortabl3^” 

Nelly gave a little embarrassed laugh, not knowing 
what to say in reply. 

“ Ever3"bod3^’s experience goes to prove that relations 
never do get along well together. I think it a pity to 
have them here.” 

“ 1 should be sorry to And myself the cause of a rup- 
ture,” Nelly returned a little coldly. 

“ Well, 3"OU ma3" tr3' ; but 3’^ou’ll have to be very sharp 
if those two women do not out-general 3^ou, And 3"ou 
are such a sweet, attractive body, that I’ve taken a great 
fancy to you. Now, you will come to Melcombe, — it is 
such a prett3^ place ; and the doctor has ever so many 
patients there. I want to show 3'ou m3^ house. It is a 
perfect little nest, if I do say it ; but then I’ve neither 
chick nor child to put me in disorder.” 

The3' all said their good-bys ; and the doctor went out at 
the same time. He was in a mood of high good-humor 
The social air of the part3’ inspired him. 

“ And now every thing is to be cleared up,” C€gaii 
Mrs. Kinnard fretfully. “ Parties are such senseless 
things to me ! You slave 3^ourself to death beforehand ; 
and, when you are all tired out, the whole house is to be 
put in order again. And Jane is as cross as a bear. 
She wasn’t an3^ too pleasant before ; but loitering ove’t 
meals alwa3’s does vex her.” 


NELLY KINNARD’s KINGDOM. 


69 


“ I think we can soon restore the house to order,” said 
Nelly gravely. “I have been used to both work and 
company all my life, and am’ not easily annoyed or dis- 
couraged. Would Jane like any help in the kitchen? 
Did her sister go home last night? ” 

“ Yes ; but she came again this morning. They are at 
the dishes now.” 

“ It is not worth while to cook any thing fresh to-day. 
There must be cold ham and chicken, and there is enough, 
certainly. That will lessen the work somewhat.” 

Mrs. Kinnard stared hard at her daughter-in-law. 

“ Jane will do what she thinks best,” was the reply. 

An indignant flush flamed up in Nelly’s face. If she 
dared to go out there, and be mistress of the kitchen ! 

Her own room was flnished. She dusted the office and 
the adjoining room ; then she opened the parlor-windows, 
and let in some sunshine. It was not yet eleven, and 
she might sweep both of these rooms. It was uncomforta- 
ble to hear everybody’s fling about extra work, when any 
thing out of the ordinary routine occurred. At home no 
one grumbled. Cheerfulness reigned supreme.^ m 

She put on a loose sack and dainty sweeping-cap, and 
went down to the parlor. The furniture-covers were in 
the hall closet : so she took them out, tied them on, and 
began her work. No one came to disturb her. While 
she waited for the dust to settle, she attacked the sitting- 
room. Leaning on her broom, she took a survey of the 
apartment. If they could have it altered ! If there could 
be folding-doors between this and the parlor, and the 
walls^ freshly papered with something different from brown 
roses and impossible leaves on a buff ground ; and if 
there could be a bay-window toward the south, filled with 
flowers and ferns in the winter, a few pretty and con- 
venient book-shelves, some easy-chairs instead of these 
stiff-backed mahogany ones, with uncomfortable mounds 
of seats, off of which you always slipped — how homelike 
it would all be I 


0 


ITELLY KmNARD'S KINGDOM. 


Then she went at her dusting, and soon had the roomt 
m the neatest of order. It had not been so very much, 
after all. Once or twice Miss Grove had gone up and 
down without a word. Nelly had an odd, guilty feeling, 
as if this had been in some sense a forbidden pleasure, a 
kind of interest that she had no right to take. So she 
ran up stairs, and brushed out her soft hair, making her- 
self presentable, and none too soon ; for she heard her 
husband's voice. 

“ How blooming you look ! " he exclaimed. “ Parties 
seem to agree with you. I was wondering if you would 
.ike to go for a good long ride this afternoon." 

“ Why, yes ! I shall be delighted to,” she answered. 

“And glad to get out of the hubbub, I daresay. It 
will be nothing but clean and scold for a week." 

“ If guests make that much trouble, they would scarcely 
thank us for an invitation.” 

“ I don't know how it comes about ; but that generally 
seems the result. Have you looked in upon Herbert this 
morning?" 

“ I have not," said Nelly, coloring. “ I have not been 
asked into the schoolroom or the children's apartments." 

“ Well, come along with me, then." 

He put his arm around her, and led her through the 
hall. After a light tap on the door, he opened it. One 
corner of the apartment was fitted up with two small 
tables ; but the rest was an ordinary sitting-room. Ad- 
joining, the sleeping-chamber shared by Maud and her 
aunt, and a small one for Bertie, who was tossing rest 
lessly on his cot, still with some fever symptoms. 

Miss Grove bowed distantly, sm’prised at what she 
considered the intrusion. 

The dinner-bell rang at that moment. Nelly bent over 
Bertie, and kissed the flushed forehead. He looked up 
with a sudden gleam of pleasure. 

“Opapa! mayn't I get up? I am so thed of lying 
lere 1 And if I could come down to rUnnor i 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


71 


“ Dr Kinnard laughed. “ You are better off here, my 
boy ; and a little toast is all you can have to-day. 
Parties are quite too much for you.” 

“ Jf you had listened to me, doctor,*’ said Miss Grove 
in an injured tone, “ the child would have been spared 
this. No consideration would induce me to keep children 
ap beyond their usual bedtime ; and such indulgences in 
diet are always injurious.” 

“ Once or twice in a lifetime will not kill anybody. 
Bertie will be all right to-morrow. — I don’t think you are 
looking especially well, Maud.” 

There was such a contrast between the blooming woman 
and the pale, dull-eyed child, that it startled the doctor. 

“Maud is not out in the sun enough, Adelaide,” said 
the doctor. “It is a shame to my profession, that my 
own children should be such poor exponents of health.” 

“ Maud is always well ; but she inherits a certain deli- 
cacy from her mother’s family. And I cannot say that I 
admire high-colored women greatly. There is a degree 
of coarseness in the rude health of farmers’ children.” 

“ Humbug! ” declared the doctor. “ Be a good boy, . 
Bertie. Come, dinner is waiting ; and I must go to 
Kelly’s Falls this afternoon.” With that he whisked 
Nelly out of the room, and down the stairs, to find the 
elder Mrs. Kinnard in her place, the picture of neglected 
merit. Nelly was tempted to smile. 

They ate silently, as usual. What a difference from 
the cheerful breakfast I 

Afterward Nelly was standing in the hall, with her hat 
on, waiting, when Jane came in to remove the dishes. 

“ Jane,” said Miss Grove, “ can you find time to 
sweep the parlor this afternoon? I will come and assist 
you.” 

Nelly was astounded for a moment ; then she stepped 
forward, confronting the two women, before Jane had 
resolved whether to be amiable or not. 


72 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


“ Both rooms are swept and dusted/" she said clearljf 
“ I surely had some right, in my husband’s house, to 
restore order, seeing that I was the occasion of last even* 
ing’s entertainment, I knew that* Jane had already done 
a great deal of extra work.” 

“ Since the parlor contains my sister’s furniture, Mrs. 
Kinnard, and has reminiscences for me that it can have 
for no other, I prefer to take charge of it myself.” 

What Nelly might have said further, she scarcely knew ; 
but she heard her husband’s voice calling her, and left 
them to any discussion that pleased them best. But her 
heart swelled with indignation. 'Already she could see 
that Mrs. Kinnard and Miss Grove had resolved that she 
should have as few rights as possible in the house. 
They must have planned it before, or they could not have 
acted in such perfect accord. 

“ Well,” the doctor said, after they had gone some 
distance in silence, “ is the bay-window all settled in 
your mind ? and do you see, by the eye of faith, geraniums 
blossoming in it? ” 

A bright color stole up into her face, and the serious 
lines relaxed. 

“ Would it be worth wMle to have such visions? ” she 
asked with a smile, 

“Well, I don’t know. They are generally quite 
expensive. Still, if you did not take too many of 
Mrs. Glyndon’s ideas, I might see about it.” 

“ I planned it all myself as I was dusting this morning, 
Barton,” and she placed her small hand over his driving - 
glove ; but he felt the pressure, gentle as it was. “ Will 
you be perfectly honest with me in one thing? Will you 
tell me if my ideas are ever too extravagant? ” 

He was very fond of his wife, foolishly fond; and, 
somehow, he felt in an excellent mood. There had been 
all along a fear in his mind, lest some of his friends might 
think he had made himself ridiculous by marrying tliis 


liTELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM. 


73 


pretty young girl. But he fancied, last evening, they (tha^ 
is those for whom he cared most) considered him a for- 
tunate man. And so he was. But he was possessed with 
a boy’s eager desire, at times, to take her off to the fairy 
’•ales of love’s first dreams, where they two might be 
alone together. He never told even her of this nonsen- 
sical idea ; but it always gave him a mood of special 
indulgence. 

“ Yes, I will tell you. I ought to be a rich man for 
yom’ sake.” 

“ Why? I have never had riches ; ” and she gave him 
her most winsome smile. “ I do not care much, I think. 
Only there are a few things that will make the place more 
homelike.” 

“ The bay-window, for instance. Is it to be in the 
parlor? ” 

Then she began with her plans, which he declared 
excellent, and quite within his means. 

“Adelaide will go somewhere in August, and take 
Maud with her: she always does. Then we will com- 
mence repairs and alterations.” 

Neither spoke of new furnishing ; but it was strongly 
m the doctor’s mind, and, along with it, the compunction 
of uprooting old ties and memories. K he had been 
happy in them ; but every day he felt more and more 
how utterl}^ barren that life had proved. And that gave 
him a peculiar tenderness, — the desire to do his dutj” 
justr-y and honorably when there was no love to inspire 
it. 

He made his calls, — a long distance apart they were 
this afternoon, — and then they reached a lovely little 
Tiook, sheltered by a high peak on one side, with a cluster 
of tventy or thirty cottages at its foot. Up on the moun- 
tain- toj) was a spring that trickled over a rocky bed, 
broken many places in its descent, but at the last falling 
some fifteen feet. It caught the rays of the setting sim 
7 


H NELLY KINNABD'S KINGDOM. 

^ough an opening in the trees, and gave back the most 
exquisite rainbow tints. All the banks were lined with 
rhododendron, now in its fullest bloom; and it seemed 
to Nelly that she had never seen any thing so enchant- 
ingly beautiful. The work was done ; and they lingered 
in the sunset, watching the orange-red as it faded into 
rose and violet. A quiet summer evening was coming 
slowly on, calm, like all the utterances of God. Why 
was it that souls drifted away from him, trjdng to find 
peace foj themselves, when it was freely offered at his 
hands ? 

They were late home, of course. Miss Grove wan 
nowhere to be seen, Mrs. Kinnard was fretful, Jane sul- 
len, as she brought in some hot tea. Without a word, 
Nelly cleared a little space at the head of the table 
brought up her husband's plate and two or three dishes. 

“ Sit here by me," she said in a quiet but tender 
tone, waiting upon him with the grace that had so won 
him in the quaint rectory. 

“ She can twist him round her finger,” muttered Jane ; 
“ but she shall see that she cannot rule everybody else. 
I am glad Miss Adelaide has a little spirit ! " 

And Jane tossed her head, as if she might use hers on 
the very first occasion. 


CHAPTEB Vn. 


“ If the round truth lie 
Somewhere between us, and I see the face, 

It turns to me in stronger light than you.” — Houjiim 

It seemed to Nelly Kinnard that there had never been 
tlii-ee such long weeks as those three of her married life 
at Edgerly. Her husband was going to drive her over to 
the station now for her first visit at home. Late in the 
afternoon he would come for her ; and they would return 
in the evening train together. 

Papa was at the other station to meet her, — papa, 
sweet and smiling, and Gerty with a host of questions. 
Everybody was well, and longing to see her. They had 
missed her so much ! Almost two months since she had 
gone away I 

How delightful it was ! She felt glad that no watchful 
eyes were there to see her first joy. She could run about 
in girlish freedom. What made this simple old house so 
much sweeter than the other, with its large rooms and 
really spacious grounds, its abundance of every thing, 
and the straitened income here? Could she ever fight 
against the great odds, and bring about some kind of 
homelikeness ? She had not done any thing as yet, save 
to smile upon her husband, and be petted by him. Was 
that all of her duty ? 

She had been thinking, of late, whether it was better 
to rouse herself, or just float with the tide. Dr. Kinnard 
had manied her entirely for himself. The children were 

75 


76 


NELLY KINNARD'S KINGDOM. 


w( 11 enough off. Aunt Adelaide attended to their mora» 
and phj'Sical welfare, and enjoyed it. She wanted no 
interference. Jane took command of the kitchen, and 
would brook no mistress or control there. Grandmother 
Kinnard considered herself, in another way, as the female 
bead of the house, — partly in virtue of her age ; partly 
from the fact that she was the doctor’s mother, and had 
a longer and earlier right to him than any other person. 

But as Nelly Endicott she had grown in a larger 
sj)herc. A little kissing and love, a few pleasant neigh- 
bors to come in and chat on the small gossip of the day, 
a ride with her husband, or a walk alone, and the day 
ending with chapters out of some interesting book — was 
rhat all? 

“ I think that is where so many women dwarf their 
lives,” said Mrs. Endicott in answer to some of Nelly’s 
queries. “ After a while, a new dress, or a bit of gossip, 
seems the great event of tneir days. It is so easy, then, 
to sink into a course of novel-reading for amusement, 
and live only in the highly wrought creations of some 
facile pen, forgetting, that, for the one exceptional life 
written out, there are thousands of commonplace, strug- 
gling ones.” 

“ Yet it seems so hard to begin ! I have really nothing 
to do but just gi’atif}^ my own selfish ease. When Fanny 
was married, she kept her church and social relations, 
and her sphere was widened. People came into it con- 
tinually. And Rose found work enough. There was 
Stephen and Louis interested in mission-schools and 
chapels, c*nd Mrs. Whitcomb to help ” — 

Nelly made a long pause, and fiushed a little as hei 
mother’s fond eyes studied her. Perhaps part was due 
to that secret consciousness that both had thought of the 
same underlying curi’ent that would shape Nelly’s life, 
if she did not resist, and put up some strong barriers. 
Or. Elnnard was used to thinking of others only in a pro- 


NELLY KINNARD S KINGDOM. 


77 


fessional or theoretical way. He could discuss the wants, 
mistakes, and failures of the age ; he could be tender and 
watchfal when physical life was in danger : but of the 
active, comprehensive charity which is the substratum of 
that most thorough human good, he had very little. He 
could tell you what to do ; but he could not take the 
trouble to help. The labors of his profession were suf 
ficient. The remainder of the time, he might surely 
devote to himself. 

Circumstances had hitherto been against him, as well. 
There had been no delightful home-interest to stimulate 
and quicken the deeper part of his nature. Only petty 
matters had appealed to him there. He knew other 
professional men whose wives amused and entertained 
themselves while their husbands were at more important 
affairs. So he had come to think of home as a select 
sort of lodging-place ; and if the house was kept clean 
and peaceable, the meals well served, it was sufficient. 
It had not always been so. Miss Grove and Jane had 
brought into his household more of order and regularity 
than had ever been it : so no wonder he dreaded to have 
their regime disturbed. 

“Nelly,” began her mother presently with a sympa- 
thetic smile, “ perhaps your mission-work is from within. 
All are not called to go into the highways, or even the 
temples. There are wayside shrines in many lowly 
valleys. Ana, as in the creation, to every work there is 
its appointed day.” 

“I wonder if I am a little impatient? But, if I felt 
that I was doing ever so small a work, I should be more 
content. Really, mamma, I feel afraid of my tempta- 
tion to idleness and listlessncss. I realize the truth of 
the adage, that ‘ labor is worship.’ ” 

“ And that home is the central pivot. It is one of 
the misfortunes, Nelly, that your life should be taken on 
such terms : so you must look to other duties to counter- 


*8 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


balance it. The difficulties were there when you took 
it.^’ 

“Yes: I cannot plead being deceived in any point. 
But neither does it seem right to give up idly, to frittei 
away my days in uselessness.** 

It is not right. Human life is too short.** 

‘ ' Then I must find some way out, and some duties. 
O mamma ! how did you make your life so rich and full 
and outflowing? ** 

“ It was not so all at once, Nelly. And then I had 
papa to counsel me.** 

Papa, wffio was then twenty-eight. Ah ! it was not the 
years alone, but something finer and deeper in the man ; 
and Nelly Kinnard had seen glimpses of it in her 
husband, long before he had become that to her. How 
did one get at all these deep and hidden things ? — the 
precious stones on which every true soul builds its way up ; 
for shifting sand never yet reared a stable character. 
She understood, then, the long years of study that were 
needed, the undoing of some other persons’ work, just as 
it had been teaching Gerty to sew. It would have been 
so much easier to do it the first time herself ; but there 
was given us in this world a good deal of second-hand 
work to do ; with crumpled and frayed edges, and puckerexl 
seams. And, in gardens, how many weeds come up to 
one flower ! 

Then papa sauntered in, and looked at his darling with 
an odd, wistful expression, as if he was not sure how much 
belonged to him any more. She must see some new books 
in the study, and some new flowers in the garden ; and 
there was the girls’ room to inspect, with its pretty new 
carpet, and the picture that Fan had painted for the birth- 
day of Queen Bess, as they had taken to calling her since 
she had shot up into such a tall, elegant-looking girl. 

Then there was dinner, and, after that. Fan and the 
babies. And Nelly drove down to the station in the 


NELLY KINNAKD’S KINGDOM. tO 

Churchill carnage for her husband, who sat and studied 
her curiously all the way back. 

He was in a very bright, jolly mood, and would fain 
have taken some of the numerous sisters home with them ; 
but mamma was to have the honor of a first visit. 

“ If you like, Nelly, I’ll ask Henderson to excharge 
with me ; and then we can spend Sunday,” said her fa 
ther. 

“Excellent!” returned Dr. Kinnard with a cordial 
shake of the hand. 

Then he placed his wife in the corner of the seat by the 
open window, and seated himself beside her. 

“ Are 3"ou sorry?” he asked. 

“ Sorry for what? ” 

“ That 3"ou are leaving the Delectable Mountains be 
hind ; ” and a half-smile crossed his face. 

“ But the Delectable Mountains were not the last, nor 
the best thing in the journey.” 

“ I am glad you think so, very glad ; ” and he gave her 
hand a fond pressure. 

And Nelly Kinnard realized more deeply than ever, 
as they entered the quiet house together that evening, 
the magnitude of her work here, — to make a home, a 
woman’s duty and province : it had never been a home 
yet. She was not to have the sweet and tender assistance 
that had been vouchsafed to both Rose and Fan. When 
there was peace in the house. Dr. Kinnard did not want 
it disturbed. So long as squabbles were kept out of liig 
sight and hearing, the rest of the family mignt indulge 
in them twenty times a da3^ The little time he was ii 
the house, he insisted upon having peace; and it had 
been every one’s desire to stand well with him. In lact, 
the three women of his household had each adored him 
in her way, — his mother, because he was her only son, 
and had been, in the earlier part of his life, very man^ 
Rgeable. Aunt Adelaide honored him, secretl3% for hi? 


80 


NELLY KXNNABD’S KINGDOM. 


patience with her sister ; then he had the sort of half-im 
periousness that sways women irresistibly. Perhaps, too, 
slie had allowed herself to care as much for him as a 
woman of her temperament could care for a man before 
maniage ; and that he should be foolish enough to choose 
a young thing of twenty, so liberally endowed with girlish 
prettiness, was another affront. Jane t^Tannized oyer him 
in some respects, and was his slave in others. Every thing 
that could minister to his appetite was liberally provided. 
Meals at any time were no trouble, if they were for him ; 
but she would hardly go out of her way for another mem- 
ber of the household. 

Great had been the consternation when the proposed 
maniage was known to be a certainty. 

“New wives make new laws,” Mrs. Kinnard had said 
to her son. “ I suppose, in my old age, I must seek 
another home. I did hope, Barton, never to have to 
separate from you again. If it had only been Adelaide, 
we could have gone right along, without any change. But 
a gay young girl, like Miss Endicott, will want her 
own friends and pleasures ; and old people must be pushed 
aside.” 

“What nonsense, mother! This is to be your home 
as long as you care to stay in it, which I hope will be 
always. I don’t see why two or three women in a house 
cannot agree.” 

“ I am sure I should like to stay here while I live ; and 
T sometimes feel that will not be very long. Our people 
are healthy while they do live ; but none of them have 
reached old age ; ” and Mrs. Kinnard wiped her eyes 
pathetically. 

He hated to see a woman cry : so he comforted her, and 
assured her that she would soon learn to love Nelly 
Endicott like a daughter. 

V^Thich might not have been difficult a thing, after 
all, if Aunt Adelaide Lad not been there. The ready 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


81 


affet'-tion of Nelly Endicott would have thrown out some 
irresistible tendril ; for, at heart, she was not an unkin«i 
woman ; but her son, certainly, had not inherited his self- 
reliance and sturdy independence from her. She had, 
too, a fatal facility of believing and misti'ustiug the worst ; 
and her fears had been easily swayed by Miss Grove’s 
strong and rigid mind. 

“ I consider it my duty to stay and look after these 
motherless children, who will have no real friend now but 
me. I have seen too often the influence a second wife 
gains over a man. She can persuade him into any line 
of conduct respecting his children. Second mothers are 
invariabl}^ jealous and envious — unless, as it sometimes 
happens, they are a connection of the first.” 

“If he had only married you, Adelaide ! ” groaned 
Mrs. Kinnard. 

“ I have no necessity for marrjdng any man,” returned 
Miss Grove in her loftiest tone. “ Miss Endicott, of 
course, feels diflerently. There are a host of girls ; and 
their mother, no doubt, understands the art of getting 
them oflT her hands. Not that I blame the poor woman. 
Girls wdth no means of their own have no resource but 
marriage ; while a woman who has an assured income 
can afford to be independent. My sister and I enjoyed 
this exceedingly. I do not understand how any woman 
can endure the thought of marrying a man for a mere 
'support.” 

“ And I daresay she is idle and extravagant,” went 
on the elder. “If Barton could have seen! And now 
he has come to a time when he ought to be saving up 
something for old age. I wouldn’t have thought he could 
be so short-sighted.” 

“ It may not have been all his fault,” said Miss Grove 
with stinging graciousness. “ I am thankful that I have 
not a family of girls to settle in life ; though I should 
endeavor to bring them up to sometliing better than hus- 
band-hunting.” 


82 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


Thus discoursed the two women frequently, until th*^^ 
subject was varied by Nelly’s actual presen;3e, and her 
daily sins. That her room should have been refurnished, 
when there was so much furniture in the house ; that she 
should go off, day after day, riding with her husband, and 
pay no attention to household affairs, except to litter up 
the looms with foolish flowers, stamped their misgivings 
with the force of certainty. 

And Nelly admitted to herself that she had not made 
much headway. Everywhere she was frustrated. The 
parlor was kept sacredly shut up, though it was not an 
attractive place to her. The piano was in Miss Grove’s 
room ; and, so far, she had not been invited within these 
sacred precincts. The children were kept studiously out 
of her reach, and they did not appear to care to venture 
within it. Now and then Bertie responded shyly to some 
demonstration ; but untoward circumstances were sure to 
nip it in the bud. It was too early yet for neighborhood 
familiarities : indeed, the one or two people Nelly had 
ventured to admire appeared particularly obnoxious to 
Miss Grove. Yet there were no open hostilities : so Dr. 
Kinnard prided himself on his wisdom of waiting until 
both parties gradually fell into a friendly connection. 

On this afternoon Nelly had taken a book, and rambled 
to the chestnut-grove, where she sat at the foot of a large 
tree, thinking, rather than reading, and raising her eyes 
now and then to the soft, floating clouds that moved 
through the interstices of waving grain. Occasionally a 
bird sang overhead, or a squirrel scampered through the 
dry leaves, pausing to peer curiously at her. Then another 
sound broke the peaceful stillness. 

“ I won’t, either ! I ain’t going to mind a girl like 
you ! ” 

“ You will go directly into the house, Herbert.” 

NeUy could not forbear smiling at the authoritative 
tc ne, that, save in its j'outhfulness, was so like Miss 
Grove’s. 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


83 


1 tell you 1 won’t, either. I always play in the 
ifternoon. Papa said I should.” 

There was some sort of scuffle, and a sharp blow, fol- 
lowed by a scream on Maud’s part. Nelly ran forward. 

Herbert’s cheek was still red with the print of his 
sister’s hand. She had caught him by both arms ; and he 
was struggling to get away, kicking viciously, which she 
adroitly’ tried to evade. Her dull eyes were in a glow of 
passion, and her usually pale face flushed with anger. 

“ Childi-en ! ” 

They both paused, and glared at her, instead of each 
other. 

“ Herbert must come immediately into the house,” said 
Maud sharply, recovering herself the first. 

“ Why, Maud? I believe it is his papa’s wish that he 
shall remain out of doors until tea-time.” 

“Aunt Adelaide wants him. He meddled with her 
bracelet, which was lying on the table, and broke it.” 

Bertie glanced up sullenly. 

“ I didn’t break it,” he said. 

For a moment Nelly felt puzzled, as she looked from 
one to the other. 

“ Where was the bracelet, Maud?” 

The little girl raised her eyes insolently, as if to 
question Nelly’s right to ask, then answered, rather 
reluctantly, — 

“In a box on the table;” but more briskly, “He 
had no right to touch it. He is always meddling. — And 
you’ll get soundly punished too.” 

Bertie began to cry, and protest that he did not break 
it, he only just raised it up, and then put it back. 

“ You dropped it on the floor. Don’t tell any more 
stories, Herbert Kinnard ! ” 

“ Hush, Maud ! ” said Nelly with a dignity that over- 
awed her childish pretensions. “ Tell me truly, Herbert, 
did you break it? ” 


84 


NELLY KINNAED'S KINGDOM. 


“ No, I didn’t. I just looked at it, and put it back.’’ 

“ It’s no such thing ! Aunt Adelaide found it on tht 
floor, broken ; and no one touched it but you.” 

‘‘Maud, either return to the house, or keep silence 
until you are spoken to. — Bertie, had you not better gc 
tc. Aunt Adelaide, and tell her just how it was ? ” 

“ No, I don’t want to. She won’t believe me : she 
never does.” And Bertie began to cry with a perfect 
bo^dsh uproar. Then, as if for greater safety, he buried 
his face in the skirt of Nelly’s gown, and clung to it with 
both hands. 

“ dear child,” began Nelly soothingly. 

“Why can’t you, if you are my mother?” he inter- 
rupted, with a child’s inconsequence. 

“She is not your mother!” again exclaimed Maud 
sharply ; for her wounded self-love had seethed to boiling- 
point. “ Our own dear mamma is dead and buried ; and 
she is only ” — 

“ Only what?” and the clear eyes arraigned the child’s 
bravado. But Maud was angry now. Under the calm 
and formal exterior, there was a depth of passion and 
temper that never found a vent, save upon Herberi:. 

“Only a stepmother” she said defiantly. “Because 
papa chose to marrj^ you, it doesn’t make you any real 
relation to us ; and we need not love or obey you, if we 
don’t want to.” 

“ Who told you that, Maud, your papa? ” Nelly asked 
gravely. 

“ Aunt Adelaide told her.” And Bertie paused in his 
crying. 

“ Grandmamma said we could not be expected to love 
you,” began Maud, taking up arms for Aunt Adelaide ; 
“ and I knew it myself without any telling. You see what 
Aunt Adelaide will give you! I shall go straight and 
tell her.” And Maud made a sudden dash across the 
cleared space. 


NELLY KENNAED’s KINGDOM. 


86 


Nelly felt that a collision was inevitable. ‘‘Herbert,'' 
she began again, “ will you not go in and tell Aun^ 
Adelaide how it was, and that j^ou are sorry? ” 

“I didn’t break it! I didn’t throw it on the floor! 
Maud tells lies to get me punished.” 

“How does Aunt Adelaide punish you?” she asked 
with some curiosity. 

“ Shuts me up in a dark closet ; and I’m so afraid ! 
And she snaps my ears, and won’t let me have any sup- 
per. I’ll run away, and drown myself in the river some 
da3’, and then I’ll bet she’ll feel bad ! ” And Master 
Brrtie shook his head with a defiance that was ludicrous. 

Nelly stood, with the child still clinging to her, un- 
decided, with a kind of helplessness that was quite new 
to her, expecting every moment that Miss Grove would 
make her appearance. Instead, Maud again came in 
sight. 

“ Herbert, you are to come in, or Aunt Adelaide will 
tell papa as soon as he comes home, and you’ll get an 
awful whipping.” 

Nelly turned, and walked with him. The child took 
a dozen or so reluctant steps, then, suddenly breaking 
away, ran in the opposite direction with the fleetness of a 
deer. It was an ignoble retreat, and most embarrassing 
for her ; yet she could not help smiling. 

Maud turned short about with a contemptuous expres- 
sion upon her small face. 

“ Maud, come here,” said Nelly. 

“ I am going in town with Aunt Adelaide,” she replied 
over her shoulder, and hurried on. 

“ Very well, then. I will try to find Herbert.” 

She retraced her steps ; but her search was in vain as 
well as her calls ; and presently she returned to the 
house. Mrs. Kinnard sat at the farther end of the hall 
bj’ the window, with some netting in her hand. Nelly 
thought she would go through to the office ; but she paused 
8 


NELLY KINNARD’S KESTODOM. 


to make some trifling comment. The old lad} ’s face was 
full of displeasure. 

“Mrs. Kinnard,” she began in a severe tone, “lam 
sorry that any thing unpleasant should have occurred about 
the children. We have all tried our best to live at peace. 
We resolved there should be no quarrelling on our part 
when you came into the house. But I must say .t is very 
injudicious for you to interfere with Miss Grove. She 
has always had charge of the children, and they are her 
f/ister’s. No one, of course, has the aflection for them 
that she has ; for a man soon forgets in new claims. 
Herbert is a very trjdng child, and needs a firm hand ; 
and your unwarrantable indulgence makes it worse for 
him in the end, as your good sense must tell you.” 

Nelly’s indignation threatened to master her for the 
moment. At first she could hardly steady her voice ; but, 
when she felt she could trust it, she replied courteously, — 

“I cannot forget that the children are also my hus- 
band’s. In marrying him, I certainly did not lessen their 
claim to his attention. I have a right to exercise a 
mother’s supervision over them ; and I have not inter- 
fered, save in a childish quanel which was not creditable 
to Maud or her instructress. The rest of the matter we 
will leave for Dr. Kinnard’ s decision. Even Miss Grove 
must allow that his right is first.” 

“ I am sure I don’t know what the children would have 
done without their aunt.” 

Nelly made no reply, but passed from the room. Once 
in the office, she threw herself on the sofa, and gave vent 
to a flood of hysterical tears, that carried off the nervous 
ness, and left her calmer. Then she began to feel dis- 
tressed about Herbert, and again sallied out, and sought 
Mat. 

“ The youngster’ll come to light, never you fear,” was 
his encouraging comment. “But I’ll keep my eye out 
ft bit.” 


KELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM. 


87 


If Dr. Kinnard would but return ! Nelly wai^d anx- 
iously, hoping to be able to explain her share in the mat- 
ter before the family assembled for supper. But Maud 
and her aunt returned ; and presently the bell rang. One 
glance assured her that there was no Bertie to be seen. 
She ran out, and intercepted Mat in the walk, questioning 
him eagerly. 

“Oh, he is right enough somewhere ! He will want 
something to eat, you may count on that.** 

“ Then you haven*t seen him?** and now her face was 
pale with apprehension. 

“Well, I didn*t; but I know he will come to light 
Every thing does ; and children are no exception.** 

“Will you go out and call in the woods again. Mat? 
He might be lost, or have fallen and injured himself. 
The doctor will be so worried I ** 

“He couldn’t get lost; and his father has forbidden 
his going off the grounds. He*s afraid of his father too, 
is that little chap. But 1*11 go.” 


CHAPTER Vm. 


he who sa3r» light does not necessarily say joy.*' - 
VicTOB Hugo. 

The women around the table looked exasperatingly 
patient as Nelly entered, much disturbed in mind and 
manner. 

“ Ma}" I venture to inquire about Herbert, Mrs. Kin- 
nard ? ” began Miss Grove, as Nelly was nerv^ously pour- 
ing tea. “ Since you have taken him under your jurisdic- 
tion, I suppose he is sa/e, at least ; and there was a 
little sneer in the words. 

“ I have not seen Herbert since — since he ran away 
in the grove,” returned Nelly tremulously. 

“ Of course you are quite prepared to answer to his 
father for whatever befalls him ? ” 

“ I will answer to his father as far as I am concerned,” 
she made answer quietly. 

It did not seem as if any thing evil could happen to 
the child. It was still broad daylight ; and he was used 
to roaming about. K Miss Grove believed him in danger, 
could she sit there so calmly ? Maud wore the same look 
of insolent defiance that had characterized her in the 
afternoon. Nelty experienced a strange sinking about 
the heart, feeling pitted, as it were, against them in a 
cruel struggle. 

But it is unusual for the child to stay so,” said grand- 
mother, with much alarm in her countenance. 

“ I have always insisted upon promptness ; but then 
88 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


89 


I like regularity in all matters, and have accustomed 
myself to such habits. For years we have gone on in 
complete order ; but I am no longer mistress, and there- 
fore not responsible. Still, since I have consented to 
remain solely on account of these motherless children, 
my only sister’s children, I do desire to do my duty by 
them without any interference. It was a very simple 
thing that occurred this afternoon. The child is njeddle- 
some and destructive to the last degree, and I sent for 
him, as I had a perfect right to do ; for I found he had 
broken my bracelet, and it was my place to punish him. 
You must see, Mrs. Kinnard, how utterly uncalled for 
your imprudent indulgence was in shielding him, and in 
thus enabling him to defy me. I think his father can 
hardly fail to say so.” 

Nelly heard her through with a quiet dignity, 

“ I did not shield him in any respect. Miss Grove. I 
should not have taken any notice of the matter ; but he 
and Maud were wrangling in a very improper manner. 
I am not fully acquainted with your method of bringing 
up children. But in our family, where there was a much 
greater difference in regard to ages, one child was never 
allowed to strike another ; and Maud had given him a 
severe blow.” 

“ He kicked me,” said Maud in eager justification. 

“ I think Maud will also bear me witness, if she cares 
to tell the truth, that I insisted upon his obeying you.” 

A dull blush suffused Maud’s face. 

“ You had him in your lap, with your dress around 
him,” the young lady returned with a most offensive 
self-complacency. 

Nelly could have shaken her ; for it flashed into her 
mind that Maud might not have repeated the transaction 
correctly. 

“ I am not much used to children’s quarrels ; and we 
were carefully trained not to misrepresent if it was ever 
8 * 


90 


NELLY KINKAED’s KINGDOM. 


lecovjsary to bear evidence against one another. — Wih 
you be kind enough to tell me, Maud, what you said to 
your aunt? I shall take the liberty of repeating your 
whole conversation to your father; for I must say J 
considered it very impertinent in a little girl.” 

Indeed ! Maud gives me no trouble that way. — 
Answer Mrs. Kinnard, Maud. You told me ” — 

“That — that” — and the child’s voice faltered, while 
her eyes sought her aunt’s with a sort of frightened 
entreaty. 

Miss Grove generally scorned any thing like falsehood , 
but now her anger at Dr. Kumard’s wife was greater 
than her vaunted love of truth. Maud had most impru- 
dently colored the whole transaction, and had said of 
her stepmother, “ She won’t let him come in.” 

“ That Mrs. Kinnard was his mother, or something ol 
that sort, and he clung to her for protection. I suppose it 
was as much your manner that influenced Maud as any 
thing you said,” returned Miss Grove with a covert air 
of triumph. 

“ Did I tell him to go to your aunt, Maud, or did I 
not? Answer simply yes, or no.” 

“ I don’t remember ; ” and Maud began to cry. 

“ She gave me the impression that you were shielding 
Herbert. But she was greatly excited, I must confess ; 
and ordinarily Herbert obeys me.” 

There was the sound of a breezy voice in the office ; 
and Nelly’s heart leaped with joy. He entered with a 
gay salutation, passed around and kissed his wife, noting 
with the quick eye of aflection that something had dis- 
composed her. 

“ Where is Bertie? ” he asked as he took his cup of 
lea. “ Dismissed on account of some meritorious deed? ” 

“ Mrs. Kinnard was the last person who saw him, J 
believe,” returned Miss Grove. 

“ I will tell you after supper,” Nelly said quietly. 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


91 


Dr. Kinnard glanced from one to the other There 
had evidently been a storm ; but he was most unroniaiiti- 
cally hungry, and thankful for Nelly’s good sense. Then 
he had a message to deliver to his mother from a distant 
Mend ; and the conversation took a general turn 

Miss Grove rose when he was through. “ Will you 
be kind enough to remain,” asked Nell}", “while I 
make my explanations ; ” and the lady stood in a haughty 
dignity, with one hand on the back of her chair, her face 
curved with a scornful half-smile. 

Nelly went briefly over the incidents of the afternoon. 
She did not repeat all Maud’s insolence, for she did not 
desire to bring either of the elder ladies into personal 
conflict with herself ; and she was by far too kind-hearted 
to thus mortify them in the presence of the son and 
brother. 

Dr. Kinnard turned abruptly. “ Where was the brace- 
let, Adelaide? ” he asked. 

“ On my dressing-table, when I left it: on the floor, 
when I found it, and broken. I had been out of the 
room for a few moments.” 

“ How I wish you would not keep gimcracks around 
where that boy can get at them, or, better still, not have 
him everlastingly in your room ! I have told you a hun- 
dred times to send him out just as soon as his lessons 
were through. Is it badly broken? — Maud, go and fetch 
it. And he has not come in yet? Has any one sent Mat 
tc see ? ” 

“I have,” said Nelly ; for she could see that her hus- 
band was much annoyed. 

“ He hasn’t spunk enough to run away, so never fear,” 
glancing at Nelly’s face of alarm. “ And, if he did, he 
would run back again. I shall have to take him in hand, 
Adelaide. I have always said women could not manage 
boys.” 

“ I am sure I have managed him until” — and an 
angry lisht shot out of Miss Grove’s eyes. 


B2 


NELLY KINNARD'S KINGDOM. 


“ But now he is growing out of 3"our reach ; that is the 
trurh. He must either be a moll^^-codclle (which no son 
of mine ever shall, if I can prevent), or there must be a 
different state of affairs. Ask Jane if Mat has come \"et. 
Oh ! ’’ — for at that moment Maud entered with her aunt’s 
bracelet, and handed it to her father, who examined it 
minutely. 

“ It has been trodden on,” he said. “ I’ll settle this 
matter m3^self, Adelaide ; and, if the boy has told a false- 
hood, he shall be severely' punished. I have a horror of 
children’s tying. — And, Maud, you are not called upon 
to administer any correction whatever to Bertie. Did 
5’^ou strike first, or did he kick? ” 

“He — he struck me.” 

“ Keep your hands off him in the future,” said the 
doctor in a voice which strongly suggested obedience. 

Nelty glanced at the pale, stolid face. Could she 
understand that her misrepresentation was absolute 
falsehood ? or was she wrapped about with that terrible 
self-complacency which deadened all finer distinctions? 
Not a lovable little girl ; and yet Nelty fell as if she 
wanted the doctor to take her on his knee, and talk to 
her until the cold and rigid little heart should melt. She 
could not quite approve of this hardness and indifference 
on his part. 

“ I have two or three prescriptions to compound : so 1 
must go to the office. Send Bertie right to me.” Then, 
catching a glimpse of Nelly’s sad face, he put his arm 
around her, and drew her in the office with him. But 
his departure was a signal for the loosening of tongues. 
Maud listened to the injudicious strictures of aunt and 
grandmother, which were not calculated to increase hei 
respect for her stepmother, and felt how absolutely cruel 
it was of her father to thus transfer his love and interest 
to that 3^oung thing, as her aunt termed her, whose pretty 
face had caught his attention, while her own dear 
mamma was Ivinar in the crave. 


NELLY KINNAED'S KINGDOM. 93 

Dr. Kinnard compounded his two prescriptions silentiy, 
'vhilo Nelly sat and watched him. There were twenty 
things she wanted to say ; but she knew he could not bear 
to be interrupted while he was engaged in aii}^ such matter. 
Perhaps the whole secret of his tolerating her in the onlce 
was, that she did not bother him with subjects foreign te 
the one he had in hand. Then he turned suddenly. 

Nelly, did you tell me all that happened this airer- 
noon, — all that both children did and said?” 

The question took her so by surprise, that she colored 
violently the first instant, and was silent. 

“There was something else?” and he fixed his keen 
eyes upon her. 

“ I told you all that was necessar}^,” she answered. 

“ But I want to know every word ; ” and, coming around 
the table, he sat down, taking both hands in his. 

“ 1 am not used to telling tales, or making complaints,” 
she said almost haughtily. 

‘ ‘ First case of insubordination ; ” and there was a 
shrewd half-smile in his eye, w^hich hardly covered the 
persistent determination. “ I am very sorry the incident 
should have occurred, Nelly. I hoped there would be no 
confiict until matters had settled into a somewhat com- 
fortable groove for us all ; but I understood from your 
face and voice that you were keeping something back. 
I trasted your judgment then: can you not trust mine 
now ? ' 

Poor Nelly ! The one thing she had strongly resolve I 
not to do, was, to estrange the father from the chil- 
dren ; to prejudice him in any way while his love fof 
her was so strong and new. Maud’s disrespect looked 
worse to her now than it had out in the gi’ove ; and, if she 
told it all, it must make Dr. Kinnard angry in her behalf, 

“ Oh,” she cried with girlish eagerness, “ let it all go ! 
Let us think of Bertie, and what must be done. Little as 
I know about boys^ this does not seem the right influence 
for him.” 


94 


NELLY KLNNARD S KINGDOM. 


“ One thing at a time. You have not answered m3 
question. I want that first of all.” 

“ I think you are a little cruel,” Nelly said with spirit. 

I do not desire to make any complaint. You must see 
how very embarrassing the position is for me.” 

“Let us get through with it, then. Come, be frank 
and honest with me. Don’t you suppose that I realize 
the awkward position, that you are stepmother to these 
children?” 

The tears came into Nelly’s eyes ; and she hid her face 
suddenly upon her huband’s breast. “ I will tell you,” 
she said, “ if you will promise not to be severe with Maud. 
They are your children : they have even a greater right to 
your love than I.” 

“Love! What foolish distinctions you women do 
make ! Nelly, I hope I have sense enough to be just in 
any event. You are over-sensitive.” 

Nelly delayed no longer, but repeated the scene, leaving 
out, it must be confessed, a little of the worst. Then she 
glanced timidly up in her husband’s face. 

“ Oh ! I am not going to scold you,” he said with a faint 
smile ; “but you know, Nelly, that I have a great dislike 
of evasions, or, rather, understanding only part of a mat- 
ter in which I am to judge. Maud is an insolent little 
vixen ! ” and, springing up, the doctor began to pace the 
floor. 

“ But you will forgive her this time, for my sake? Oh, 
please do. Barton I It would make it worse for me. She 
is Aunt Adelaide’s favorite ; and, if I brought her into 
disgi’ace with you ” — 

“ There, there, Nelly ! Don’t go to crying about it. I 
will not say a word, if it pleases you better : in fact, I do 
suppose I should get myself into a hornet’s nest. But 
Maud must not be allowed in any such conduct. You shall 
be respected by the children : of that I am resolved.” 

Just then there was a tap at the door ; and the doctoJ 
opened it. 


NELLY KINNARD’s KINGDOM. 


96 


“ I don’t think Master Bertie is anywhere on the place, 
said Mat. “ Would he have gone away, think?” 

“ Have you looked in the barn? You found him there 
once asleep, you know. Or, stay ” — And he called up 
the stairway to Miss Grove, — 

Look in Bertie’s room, will you? ” 

There was an entrance to this room from the kitchen 
part. While it was yet early, Bertie had stolen home, and 
hurried into bed. He was frightened and hungry ; and, 
hearing his aunt’s voice on her return, he had covered 
himself smoothly over. But, though she might have looked 
into his room under any other circumstances, she certainly 
had not done so now, until requested by his father. He 
was soundly asleep. Had his punishment been in her 
hands, she would have roused him in a moment ; but now 
she only glanced at him with a bitter, self-satisfied smile, 
and went quietly down stairs. 

“ He is there, Barton. I suppose he was too guilty and 
ashamed to face any one, and had a dread of the punish- 
ment that he knew was sure to come. He is a very cow- 
ardly child. Shall I wake him up? ” 

The doctor thought a moment. “ No : let him sleep. I 
will attend to his case in the morning. Tell Maud to come 
down to me.” 

Miss Grove bit her lip, and hesitated, then said, — 

“Barton, she is very much excited, and in a highly 
nervous state. I think you had better defer any thing you 
have to say to her until breakfast-time. I was just about 
to send her to bed.” 

There was the least possible entreaty in Miss Grove’s 
\oice ; but her brother-in-law did not heed it. 

“ I will not keep her but a moment or two. It is best 
for me to see her to-night.” 

Maud entered the oflSce, pale and trembling. Her aunt 
had half a mind to brave all, and accompany her. But 
being requested to retire would have proved too great an 


96 


NELLY KINNABD’s KINGDOM. 


humiliation; and she knew Dr. Kinnard to be quiu 
capable of such a course. 

There was a look of sullen fear in the child’s eyes ; and 
her features seemed sharper and thinner than ever. Nelly 
felt really sony for her. 

“Maud,” began her father, eying her with a half-con- 
tempt, “ if you were at all disrespectful to 3"our mother 
this afternoon, I want you to beg her pardon. And, in 
future, I want j^ou and Bertie to understand that you are 
to obey her as promptly in any matter as j^ou do me.” 

That was all, then. She hated to beg Mrs. Kinnard’s 
pardon ; but that was better than her having told all, and 
being in no end of a difficulty. So she collected her self- 
possession, and the certain obtuseness of feeling that so 
largely characterized her, and did as she was bid, in a 
formal way that was extremely annoydng to Nelly. 

“My little girl,” she returned, compelling herself to 
speak kindly, “ I hope you will soon begin to feel that I 
am your friend, at least. I know your own mamma is 
dead, and that is a great loss to any child ; but I shall try 
to fill her place as well as you will allow me. I am ready 
to love you, and sympathize in all your pleasures and 
pursuits when you feel well enough acquainted to give me 
a share. It is our duty to try to make papa happy b^ 
our loving one another, as well as loving him. Will you 
try?” 

Maud colored, and then became pale again, averted her 
face, and murmured a few indistinct words, turning toward 
the door. Then she opened it, said good-night briefly, 
and vanished. 

The doctor went on pacing the room, with his hands 
folded behind him. Suddenly he broke out with, — 

“It is not what you have been used to, Nelly. Tht 
elements of aflection and kindliness that formed so large 
a part in your household life are altogether wanting here. 
With all a man’s solemn truth, I say I am sorry for ik 
But what to do ” — 


NELLY KENNAED’s KINGDOM. 97 

“ Let me help you ; '' and she slipped her hand within 
(lis arm, joining his walk. 

“ That was all a farce with Maud ; I saw it as well as 
you, but I was determined that she should pa}^ you some 
outward respect. Nelly, the world has a great prejudice 
against stepmothers, and perhaps daughters-ir -law. 1 
think the matter is about evenly balanced. Ihere are 
good and bad on both sides, just as there are good and ba i 
husbands and fathers. Why, think of a man beating hia 
poor little child, and sending him out on a cold winter day 
to beg for money to buy rum with ! Think how cruel 
Mat’s wife was to their little child ! And yet I am sorry 
that you must suffer in the world’s estimation for the in- 
justice of other people.” 

“ But isn’t that just one of the things the Saviour com- 
mends ? What virtue is there in suffering patiently the 
result of our own faults? ” 

“ I don’t pretend to understand these things,” and he 
looked a little puzzled. “ And I hate to have you pre- 
judged, suspected of any thing so foreign to your nature. 
But I had my way in bringing 3^ou here : so I must endure 
the other with what grace I can ; ” and he smiled grimty. 
“ Aunt Adelaide would take nothing short of a positive 
dismissal, I fancy ; for she exaggerates her point of duty 
most heroically. Yet I think sometimes, if she managed 
the childi’en differently, they might not be so — so unlike 
childhood in its natural state.” 

“Can’t 3^ou do something for them? can’t we both?” 
cried Nell^" earnestly. “ It seems to me that they are 
not being brought up judiciously.” 

“ I don’t know how much I love children, whether I 
have an^' of that overwhelming passion that women in- 
dulge in ; but I have a great tenderness in some ways. I 
can’t bear to see a child abused or ill treated ; and — 
you’ll laugh at me, Nelly ; but I positively cannot endure 
to see a child beaten, so much of it comes imder my 


98 NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 

notice ! Mothers are tried and angry, and worn oi t with 
their labors ; so, when a child is troublesome or dis- 
obedient, a whipping settles it the quickest of any thing ; 
therefore it is resorted to. Half the time, it is merely 
indulgence in one’s own temper. I found out, a year ago, 
that Adelaide was in the habit of giving Bertie liberal 
adowances with a strap : so I took that awa}^, and told 
her, when Bertie did any thing grave enough for such 
punishment, she must send him to me.” 

“ And so you were tried frequently ; was that it? ” 

On the contrary. She has appealed to me a few times ; 
and Bertie has managed to commit some depredations in 
my office. I will candidl}^ own that I can only strike a 
child in the heat of anger. There seems something so 
cowardly, so obnoxious, in the unequal warfare of a strong 
man pitted against a little child that he could crush and 
kill, and does sometimes maim. It may be necessary in 
schools, where a crowd of boys are herded together ; but it 
seems to me there might be other punishments devised in 
a household, that would not injure a child in any way. 
But I cannot see that Bertie has improved much under 
the new regime.** 

“Yet I think he is a good deal afraid of Aunt Ade- 
laide.” 

“That is true. There is something cowardly about 
the child, that annoys me. I like fearless, outspoken 
children , who are honestly sorry for a fault, and who, 
perhaps, forget the next day, and do the same thing. 
Adelaide is an excellent teacher ; but 1 do believe the 
ooy would be better off in a school with other children.” 

“ He certainly would,” said Nelly decisive^. 

“ I promised Adelaide that I would make no change 
for the coming year ; but I think I must. I want him to 
be manly, truthful, honest in principle ; not that mere 
outward honesty that refrains from stealing your neigh- 
bor’s coat or his money. And I wish — but here I am 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


99 


^lifting these burthens on your shoulders ; a thing I had 
"esolved not to do.” 

“And why not?” Nelly stood up with a sweet 
bravery shining in her eyes. “ Am I not to help in this 
work as well? Is it merely to take your love and sei'v'ce, 
and give nothing in return? I did not marry you for 
that.” 

He stooped, and kissed her. “ I wish you had been 
their mother,” he said huskily ; “ and yet you are such a 
child y mrself. No, I must not make the burthen too 
heavy. I suspect I am something of a coward and a 
shirk myself,” he appended grimly. “ I ought to take 
the responsibility of my boy.” 

“ I think you ought,” returned Nelly gravely. 

“ But I had promised myself a sort of holiday house- 
hold life,” he continued with a shrug and a half-smile. 

“Barton, life isn’t all meant for a holiday. We have 
had a very bright golden one ; and now I want you to let 
me help you with the work. Bertie needs a father’s care 
and interest and love. Let him come a little more into 
your life. It will be a trouble, I know ; but it brings 
with it a sweet reward. I wouldn’t give up my remem- 
brance of papa’s sympathy and tenderness for all the 
wealth of the world.” 

“ Mr. Endicott is a better man than I,” said Dr. Kin- 
nard simply. Then, with a smile, “ I hope you have 
brought a little of his goodness with you to leaven ua ; for 
we all need it.” 

He sat down, and took her on his knee, holding the fair 
hand in his, and resting his chin upon it. 

“ What will you do with Bertie? ” she asked presently. 

“ It puzzles me. The bracelet has certainly been 
stepped upon. Just falling from a table could not injure 
it ill that manner. It seems as if Bertie ought to have 
told you the truth. And, if he should persist in his state- 
ment, Aunt Adelaide will not believe it I am afraid. So 
I am between two fires.” 


100 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


“ Tou will not punish him, then, unless you are coiv 
vinced ? 

“Most assuredly not.’* 

“ I think we shall be able to tell. It seems to me that 
Miss Grove’s method with him tends to make him con- 
ceal trifles, rather than admit them. She is strict and 
stern, putting him down continually, and finding fault,, 
The child really has no freedom of ideas in any direc- 
tion.” 

“ Except mischief.” 

“ And how much of this is due to unemployed re- 
sources ? ” Nelly asked with a smile. “ I do think, Barton, 
a little judicious praise is ever so much better than repres- 
sion and fault-finding. And I shall be so glad to have 
you take him more under your care.” 

“ Well, we will see. There, let Bertie and his troubles 
rest until to-morrow.” 

She wisely said no more. He looked over a late maga- 
zine, and read her some extracts from a scientific article. 
Meanwhile she was thinking. What if this episode, 
beginning so uncomfortably, should open the door to the 
duties she had been longing for, and that wider sphere, 
the opportunity of bringing in a fresh current to the 
household so becalmed on the stagnant shores of for- 
mality and selfishness? And if she could render these 
children dearer to their father, and more worthj^ of his 
love, she world, at least, have achieved something that 
would justify her standing in their mother’s place. 


CHAPTER rX. 


“ The wheels of time work heavily: 

We marvel, day by day, 

To see how from the chain of life 
The gilding wears away.’* — L. E. L. 

Bebtie Kinnard came down to breakfast the ne xt morn- 
ing, ashamed, frightened, and sullen. How much of it was 
due to Miss Grove’s previous lecture, and the methods 
she had taken to convince him of his heinousness in seek- 
ing shelter at his stepmother’s side, and daring to disobey 
her^ his father certainly could not know. A long list of 
punishments were held in store, small daily privations 
and trials. She always exacted the most rigorous justice. 

“ Come here,” said his father after the meal was con- 
cluded. “ I want you to tell me the exact truth about 
the bracelet. Did you break it ? ” 

“ No,” was the brief reply. 

“ What did you do with it ? ” 

“I — I looked at it.” 

“ Here, hold up your head, so. If you are telling the 
truth, you need not be ashamed. What else did you do?” 

Bertie glanced about uneasil}^ and picked at the buttons 
on his coat. There was a dogged look in his face, that 
betrayed a very persistent will, after all. 

“I — took it out and looked at it, — and — put it back 
again,” he said slowly. 

“ You are very sure?” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“ Very well, Bertie, I am going to believe exactly whal 
9 * 101 


102 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


you say. I do not think you could be so cowardly or se 
dishonorable as to tell your father a falsehood. There, 
put on your hat, and take a good long run, and see if 
you cannot find a pleasanter face.” 

“Barton!” exclaimed Miss Grove, while her crow 
crimsoned with anger, “you don’t mean to say that yon 
believe that child ! ” 

“ I said it certainly.” 

“ Do you suppose I could have trodden on that brace- 
let (the theory you advanced last night) , and not known 
or remembered it? Maud, I know, never injured it. And 
Bertie does tell falsehoods. He will deny any thing when 
there is the slightest chance of getting clear.” 

“I cannot explain the mystery, Adelaide. The boy 
would not be so hardened as to deny it without a blush 
surely : if so, it speaks badly for his past training.” 

He knew that clinched the matter for his sister-in-law. 
She turned almost swarthy in her passion, being deprived 
thus of her strongest weapon. 

“ Very well,” she snapped. “ If the child is ruined 
by your foolish indulgence, so let it be. It is what I told 
you a year ago. ‘ Spare the rod, and spoil the child.’ I 
should have made him confess it.” 

“I am afraid I don’t put as much faith in Solomon’s 
wisdom as you do,” said the doctor, dryly. “ His one 
son was not a very brilliant exponent of his father’s 
theory, if I recollect rightly. We have had quite enough 
of this, I fancy. I’ll take your bracelet into town, and 
get it repaired.” 

“Thank you. I can attend to it myself;” and she 
swept out of the hall indignantly. 

“ Well,” said the doctor when his mother had left 
the room, “ I suppose it has ended very unsatisfactorily. 
Still I couldn’t think the child would persist in a false- 
hood ; and I was anxious to have the matter ended. I 
have made Adelaide very angry. Have I pleased any 
one? ” 


J^BLLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


103 


“ Bertie, no doubt. I have an odd feeling about it. 
I should hate to say that I was not convinced ; and, in 
any case, you did the best. It is something to a child to 
be believed.’’ 

“I daresay Aunt Adelaide will make it ui> to him. 
However, she cannot abridge his playtime, nor give him 
a thrashing. Do you want to go out with me ? If so, be 
ready in half an hour.” 

Bertie’s school-bell rang ten minutes earlier than usual ; 
and it always rang fifteen minutes before the time, in order 
to give him a chance to get in, and wash his hands and face 
before school-hours began. These few minutes were a 
great gratification to Miss Grove. Then Bertie had his ears 
snapped soundly until they were like a bit of red fiannel. 
Boxing had been interdicted by the doctor. In fact, the 
whole morning was one continuation of sundry small and 
aggravated punishments, which made Bertie dull at his 
lessons, and perfectly vicious in his hatred of his aunt. 
If he dared to tell his stepmother I Wouldn’t she take 
his part again ? 

Nelly had not been at all satisfied with the doctor’s 
manner of examining into the case. The child had been 
disobedient to his aunt, ugly to his sister, and cowardly 
at the end of it all. But, seen in the morning light, the 
aflTair appeared trivial to his father ; and he was glad to 
dismiss it with as few words as possible. However, she 
made no further comment. There was nothing small or 
nagging in her nature. 

But that afternoon, when she saw Bertie cross the field 
on his way to the grove, she tied on her sun-hat, and fol- 
lowed him. When quite out of hearing of the house, she 
called to him. He watched her shyly at first, and did not 
seem inclined to be very friendly. But, after a while, he 
ventured to sit down beside her. 

“ Oh ! what are you doing, Bertie? ” she cried in siir 
prise. 


104 


NELLY KINNARD S KINGDOM. 


The child had a grasshopper in his hand, which he was 
rapidly dismembering. 

“That is very, very cruel,” she went on quickly. 
“ Bertie, would you like to have some great giant come 
along, and pull out your anns and legs? Would it not 
hurt you?” 

There are no giants ; ” and he looked up triumphant 
iy. “ Aunt Adelaide said so. She wouldn’t let me reaa 
about them, because it was not true.” 

“ But there are men large enough and strong enough 
to tear j^ou limb from limb. Look at that poor grass- 
hopper. You have killed it. Are you not sorry? The 
poor little thing did you no harm.” 

“ Well, it was only a giasshopper. It wasn’t good 
for any thing.” 

“ What are you good for, Bertie? ” 

The child hung his head. 

“ God made you ; and he made the grasshopper also. 
Suppose papa was to say, ‘ Bertie, you are not good foi 
any thing ; so I will cut you up with some of my sharp 
knives.’ How would you like that? ” 

“ But he wouldn’t,” said Bertie confidently. 

“ No, he would not, because he loves you. And God 
wants you to love whatever helpless and innocent little 
things he creates.” 

Bertie was studying a knotty problem, and had not 
followed the last clause of the argument. 

“Does he love me since he went to Wachusett, and 
married you?” he asked. 

Nelty was startled and annoyed. She thought of Miss 
Grove’s exceeding conscientiousness that the children 
should not witness their father’s marriage ; yet she had 
not hesitated to explain it to them, greatly in her dis- 
favor. Her heart swelled with the sense of injustice. 
She realized that she must fight her way through preju- 
dices and opposition, if she gained any thing. The 


NBLI.Y KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


105 


prospect of such bitter warfare was not pleasant. And 
much of it must be borne alone. She could not make 
Dr. Kinnard see the necessity of what she wished to do, 
much that she considered her absolute duty. 

“ Bertie, papa loves you just as well now as he did 
then ; and he wants you to be a good and noble boy, so 
that he can love you better every day.’’ 

“ But what did he many you for, then? ” 

“ That I might come here, and love you also. Your 
own mamma is dead, and I am to take her place, to show 
you how to be a good boy, and please papa. Will you 
not try to love me a little? ” and Nelly’s voice trembled. 

But the question had no seriousness in it for him. He 
looked up stolidly, his mind intent on his own thoughts. 

“ Say,” he began presently, “ won’t you make Aunt 
Adelaide let me have some supper when papa doesn’t 
come home? I’m so hungry always.” 

“ Were you hungry last night? ” 

Bertie hung his head, and looked ashamed. 

“ It was not at all brave, Bertie, to skulk off to bed 
when you knew you had been naughty. K you were tell- 
ing the truth about the bracelet, you should have come 
in, and said to Aunt Adelaide that you were sorry for 
disobe3dng her, and begged sister’s pardon for kicking 
her ” — 

“But she struck me,” he interrupted. “Aunt Ade- 
laide always lets her.” 

“ But papa told her that she must not do so any more. 
If she should, you are to tell him. It is very rough and 
ungentlemanly to strike or kick a girl.” 

“ I’ll tell papa next time ; ” and Bertie shook his head 
with emphasis. 

“ And 3"ou wiU be kind to her, will you not? ” 

The child stared vacantly. 

“ And to the grasshoppers. It is wicked to be so 
cruel ; and God does not love cruel children. Do you 
know who God is, Bertie? ” 


106 


NELLY KINNAED S KINGDOM. 


“ God lives up in the sky. He sees all I do ; and, if 1 
am a bad boy, he will punish me everlastingly.” 

He said it like a lesson learned by rote, with no more 
real feeling than if he had been stating the commonest 
fact about the earth at his feet. Nelly looked at him in 
amaze. 

“ And are you not afraid of being punished? ” 

“ Fm afraid of Aunt Adelaide. God can't come heifc 
and punish me; and F 11 tell you what I mean to do,” 
bending his head confidentially — “ I shall be a big man 
then, and I won't go where he is. I'd like to run away 
from Aunt Adelaide.” 

“ Why did you not last night? You had a good oppor- 
tunity.” 

“ Because I am only a little boy. I'll wait until I get 
to be a man. I'll see if she'll snap my ears then, and 
make me hold a big book so she can rap my knuckles. 
I'll kill her if she does ! ” 

“ O Bertie, Bertie ! '' cried Nelly, aghast. Poor little 
heathen ! And this had been the result of his training. 
He understood fear and hate ; but did he know the mean- 
ing of love ? She would try him again. 

“ Bertie, do you love papa?” 

“ Yes,” returned Bertie readily. 

“ What do you do when you love a person?” 

Bertie drew a long breath, and thought for a moment ; 
then wisely and truly answered, “I don't know.” 

“ You tiy to please them ; you obey them when they 
ask you to do any thing ; you would never strike them, 
nor do any thing cruel to them, nor tell them a falsehood. 
Can you remember this?” 

Bertie gave her a searching glance. He felt, somehow, 
that he had lost caste ; and, with a child's eager vanity, 
he wanted to redeem himself. 

“But I know my tables,” he said, “and who all the 
great generals were; and Fm studying Latin. Csesai 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM 


101 


conquered Gaul, and a great part of Britain. Aftarwu ’ds. 
the Normans went over with William the ConqiierDr • 
and, oh ! I know all of the kings of England and Franco 
Sometimes they have had emperors. And the King of 
Russia is called a czar. Russia is the largest division in 
Eimope. Switzerland is the only republic ; ” and the cliild 
paused for a breath. 

“What a purely mechanical being!” Nelly thought 
with a sad smile. 

“ Never mind,” she said : “we will talk of other mat- 
ters, though you have studied well, Bertie.” And then 
she endeavored to rouse his mind into some kind of per- 
sonal activity ; but it was disheartening work. Miss 
Grove was no believer in filling a child's head with any 
thing but good, substantial facts. She snubbed and 
discouraged all curiosity on the part of a young pupil. 
Very methodical, very precise, cold by nature, she had no 
patience with the sentimental part of humanity. To dress 
well, and keep neat and clean ; to behave properly bn all 
occasions ; to have the mind well stored with knowledge, 
the taste cultivated in certain respects ; to be dignified and 
ladylike for a girl, manly and stoical for a boy, — she held 
the most necessary requirements of life. The children 
had known none of the caressing tenderness and S3"mpathy 
that had been daily food to the Endicotts. Their mother 
consigned them to a nurse. Theii’ father saw them but 
seldom ; and he had not been a demonstrative man in those 
earlier years. Though they had been rather delicate, yet 
no dangerous illness had ever roused his anxiety* concern- 
ing them ; and, under Miss Grove's government, they were 
stiL farther removed from him. Nelly's first feeling about 
theiL had been quite true : thev were not dear, naught}", 
sweet, delightful children. 

No : there was nothing to call out the mother-love that 
glorifies so many women. These Endicott girls had been 
nourished on it, — first from their mother, and then the 


108 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


habit each older girl fell into of loving and caiing foi 
younger ones, of placing mother, in turn. For a little 
while Nelly felt cold and sick at heart. Might she not as 
well let it go? The children would have all physical 
comforts, — be well educated, well dressed, make average 
people, no doubt, and be just as gi’ateful to her as if she 
gave her ver}^ life for them. Their father did not bring 
her here for their comfort, but his own. And here was 
their aunt, who desired the sole charge. How easily she 
could slip off any responsibility I 

But her duty ! Was it not to bring into these pinched, 
bleak, and barren lives some of the sweetness and 
strength, the beauty and comfort, that had been put in 
hers, scattered all along her twenty years of richness and 
fulness? Perhaps that was just what God had given it 
all for, — so wide and delightful a kingdom ! — that she 
might call in not only the charming, the refined, and 
those quick of sight and mood, but the halt and the 
blind, those by the great wayside, that, after all, compre ■ 
hends so much. 

At the very alphabet of love she must begin, and raise 
the ignorant, careless feet that would stumble so often. 
Bertie sat there studying the beautiful but pertobed face, 
and thinking, child-fashion, of himself. 

“ Couldn’t you teach me my lessons?” he asked pres- 
ently. “ Fd try not to miss a word ; and, if you wouldn’t 
make me stand in the comer ” — 

“ What do you do in the corner? ” 

“Why, I hold a big book, so.” And he jumped up, 
taking a broken stick in his hands to represent the book, 
which he held about on a level with his chin. “ Then, if 
1 don’t keep it just straight, she cracks me with a ruler. 
It makes me so tii’ed ! ” and he sighed. 

Indeed, all manner of petty punishments had been 
invented by Miss Grove since the whipping was tabooed. 
Her rigid sense of justice must be satisfied in som« 
manner. 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


109 


“ The best way, Bertie, is to be a good boy. Try to 
please Aunt Adelaide.” 

“But Maud tells on me always; and, when I tell on 
her, Aunt Adelaide won’t listen.” 

Maud was evidently Aunt Adelaide’s favorite. Bertie 
was too old and too sharp-eyed not to be injured b}^ the 
bhow of partiality. Yet, if Miss Grove did not love him, 
even in her rigid manner, why should she strive to keep 
him so completely within her influence ? 

Yet, in her way. Miss Grove was extremely conscien- 
tious. Her duty to her dead sister’s children, — that was 
her watchword ; and, undemonstrative as her regard for 
them appeared, she would have fought for them, if occasion 
required. She would have watched every sharp word or 
look from Dr. Kinnard’s new wife, resented any thing like 
a show of authority, and made the children’s interests 
paramount in the family, if she could. She even hated 
their father’s interference. Already she was jealous of 
the young stepmother; and that was one reason of her 
great coldness. If Dr. Kinnard had gone over to the 
fair enemy, the children should not, without a great 
struggle on her part. 

“ No wife can love another woman’s children,” she had 
said to the doctor’s mother. “ They will not expect it. 
Poor things ! It is little they wiU have of their father’s 
afiection, either. But I think it my duty to stay, and 
see that they are not unjustlj^ treated. Nothing else 
would keep me here a day.” 

So she judged that she had a right to put the childien 
an their guard, as she phrased it. How much of this 
bitter dutj^-work is done in the world I 

But that evening, as Nelly Kinnard sat by her hus- 
band’s side, talking over various small household matters, 
she said, — 

“ Barton, I do believe it would be better to send Bertie 
to school. He wants companionship. Does he never 
play with any neighboring children?” 


110 


NELLY KENNAED’S KINGDOM. 


“I really don’t know. There are children about i 
have been thinking of it myself to-day. I like boys to 
be boys. They are to fill men’s places in the world, not 
women’s. But Adelaide would feel dreadfully Texed 
about it.” 

“I suppose there are no good day-schools nearer than 
tiic village ? ” 

“ Oh ! ” the doctor said, with a nod or two. “ I had 
thought of boarding-school.” 

“But he is so young I No : I should not like to have 
him v^*')nt away from home, — this year, at least ; ” and she 
colored delicatel3% 

He inferred her reason, and respected it. “There are 
two or three excellent schools in the village. He could be 
taken in the morning, I suppose. But I don’t always go 
in one direction; which makes me think, Nelly — bow 
would you like to have a horse of your own ? ” 

“ Oh, delightful ! And yet I always go out with you.’* 

“ But some time the girls will be here, I hope ; or are 
3"Ou keeping them away out of pure jealousy, Mrs. Kin- 
nard? I do admire Queen Bess exceedingly. Well, 
then, you would like to have a separate establishment of 
your own?” 

“ How good you are to me ! ” 

“ Am I? No doubt but that I shall be a stem tyrant 
in the course of a few years. You had better make your 
hay during this fine spell of weather.” 

“ Barton,” she said a little shyly, “ I had a reason for 
putting off the promised visit. You said Miss Grove 
always went away in August.” 

“ Exactly. We should enjoy ourselves better, I think. 
Only the house is to be altered then.” 

“ I shall not mind that. There is so much room 
Deside ! And I don’t believe 3"ou would mind our using 
the ‘ den ’ occasionally.” 

“Well, that is cool too. I don’t seem to know the 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


Ill 


place any more. What with your tidiness, 5 our flowers* 
and your changes here and there, I am almc st afraid to 
set down my old boots in a corner when I come home 
tired.” 

“ You may, for all that ; ” and she laughed gayly. 

“ WTiat were we talking about? Oh ! a pony. I think 
I will keep a lookout for a suitable animal ; for I should 
find it a convenience myself.” 

“ And I could take Bertie to school. It will be ever so 
much better for him ! ” 

“ Let me see : why, this is the last of July ! Adelaide 
has not said a word as yet ; ” and Dr. Kinnard looked at 
his wife in the utmost surprise. “ I have spoken to Bailey, 
too — gave him that plan of yours ; and he is to drop in 
some day to take dinner with us, and then view the 
premises. But I do hope Adelaide goes away.*^ 

“ You will speak of it, though? ” 

“No. WTiy should I? She will advance twenty good 
reasons wh}^ it should not be done ; and I shall have to 
combat each one singly, and the whole in a lump. I hate 
women’s arguments ; ” and a little frown settled between 
the doctor’s eyes. 

“ I am afraid she would think it — And, if the furni- 
ture was injured ” — 

“ I wish every one of those things was out of the 
house!” cried the doctor testily. “Nelly, I am thank- 
ful that you haven’t any money, and can’t buy so much as 
a salt-cup. I have heard about them all my life, and 
am likely to hear until I fall into my dotage — unless 1 
make a bonfire of them.” 

“ But that would be a matter of courtesy, — speakjng, 
I mean. Miss Grove is very choice of the parlor, and 
feels that she has a prior claim. She might suppose it 
— my idea ; ” and Nelly paused in a flush i>f embarrass- 
ment. 

“As if it wasn’t!” said the doctor banteiingly 


112 


NELLY KINNAED'S KINGDOM. 


“ But you know, Nelly, how I hate fuss and long argn 
ments.” 

He was evidently bent upon having his own way, and 
she said no more. If she had found a weak side to her 
husband, this was it. It was no real lack of moral cour- 
age, but the putting-off of an evil day, — a species of 
procrastination that peace-loving people indulge in fre- 
quently. 

The first of August came in. Vacation began for the 
children, though it could hardly be called that. Aunt 
Adelaide was strict about the music practices, and ques- 
tioned Bertie every night concerning the summer’s les- 
sons. During the past fortnight, he and Nelly had made 
some very faint advances ; but Aunt Adelaide’s eyes were 
sharp; Then the pony and a new phaeton came home, 
and he was promised a ride. 

And then happened a most unlucky contretemps. Mr. 
Bailey “dropped in,” according to promise. Dr. Kinnard 
was expected home, but did not come ; and they sat down 
to dinner promptly. If Nelly could have summoned 
sufficient courage to beg of him not to mention the altera- 
tion ; but it seemed small and underhand. So she exerted 
herself, and was so entertaining, that she led the worthy 
man completely away from business until there was a 
lull during the dessert. 

“lam sorry the doctor stays so,” he began suddenly’. 
“You thinli he will be home presently, Mrs. Kinnard? I 
wanted to discuss his new project with him, and get to 
work next week. I liked that plan of yours ever so 
much; for it strffies me those rooms are gloomy; ” and 
he turned his head to take a survey. “ But why not 
have a small room there at the back for fiowers, instead 
of a bay-window merely? ” 

M.ss Grove fixed her eyes upon Nelly with a sort 
of astonished deliberation that called the color to the 
fair young face. 


NELLY KINNAIRD’s KINGDOM^ 113 

“I don’t know,” she stammered rather hesitatingly, 

As the doctor fancies.” 

“ Of course, of course ! we bow to his decision ; ” and 
Mr. Bailey gave a cheerful smile. “ I wonder that he 
never had folding-doors cut through thei’e before. It 
looks so much more sociable, and is convenient in manj 
cases ; such as a large company, for instance. Really, 
Mrs. Kinnard, your coming will work a great change in 
the doctor. He was making quite a hermit of himself. 
Doesn’t the good book say it is not good for man to be 
alone ? ” 

“ Though it can hardly be said that Dr. Kinnard was 
alone,” was Miss Grove’s pointed rebuke. 

“Well, no — not exactly;” and Mr. Bailey gave a 
rather uncomfortable laugh. “ But then, you see. Miss 
Grove, no one is quite like a wife to a man.” 

“Herbert!” cried Miss. Grove sharply, “you are 
eating with your spoon. Take yoim fork, sir I ” and she 
straightened up her tall figure with a severe air. 

Mr. Bailey pushed back his chair. “ Yes,” he con- 
tinued, “I am right sorrj^ the doctor is not here; but 
I suppose you can tell me the particulars all the same. 
A good wife and a good husband generally agree ; ” with 
an effort at geniality. “ If you wouldn’t mind taking a 
survey of the rooms with me, and making any sugges 
tions. I shall be likely to come across the doctor in the 
village afterwards.” 

Nelly rose, and marshalled him through. If it only 
had not happened in this manner 1 

Mr. Bailey took measurements, sounded the walls, and 
made sundry business-like comments. Then he examined 
the place for the bay-window. 

“Yes, it is just as I told the doctor. You see, the 
kitchen runs out here in a jog ; and that is going to make 
a bad shade for one side of your window. Now, if this 
was a kind of extension, instead, the end aU glass, 


114 


NELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM. 


and shelved, you see. And this window might be changed 
to a door, giving you an entrance, and a pretty porch, 
here on the west side.*' 

“That would be convenient and delightful.** And 
Nelly*s eyes were aglow with pleasure. 

“ That is what I should have, if the house was min^. 
Tou will like it, I know. Now may I see the parlor? '* 

Nelly looked helplessly at Miss Grove a moment, then- 
opened the door in great fear and trembling. It was 
the first time she had entered the place of her own 
accord. It seemed to be kept sacred to the memory of 
“ my poor dead sister,*’ and embalmed with sighs. The 
tight shutters were always tightly closed, except at the 
weekly dustings. It was dark as a prison now, and she 
groped her way, stumbling over an ottoman ; but, after 
much exertion, she managed to get a ray of light. 

“Yes, you’ll find foldmg-doors a decided advantage, so 
much more cheerful. It will be a great improvement, — 
a ver}^ great improvement. Just talk it over with the 
doctor: we surely ought to be able to convince him. 
Tell him how sorrj^ I was to miss him.” 

And so on, until Mr. Bailey had talked himself out of 
the parlor, and out of the hall, expatiating in his most 
convincing tone upon the benefit the alteration would oe, 
ard at last wishing her a hearty good-day. 


CHAPTER X. 


How happy is he bom and taught, 

That serveth not another’s will, 

Whose armor is his honest thought. 

And simple truth his utmost skill. — WoiTON. 

Nelly Kinnakd turned with a flushing face toward the 
wo women who she knew were sitting in judgment upon 
her. Bertie had been dismissed ; but Maud was standing 
by the window with her self-complacent smirk. 

“ Mrs. Kinnard/’ Miss Grove began with asperity, 
“may I venture to inquire the meaning of this business? 
Is the one room that I hoped could be kept in some degree 
sacred to the memory of ‘ my poor dear sister,’ for her 
children’s sake, to be turned into a common thoroughfare? 
My brother-in-law has given you his office for a sitting- 
room ” (and this was uttered spitefully) ; “ yet it seems 
you are not content.” 

“ And what did he say about that window? ” exclaimed 
Mother Kinnard. “ It is the only spot on this floor where 
I sit and sew. It has been my window ever since I came 
into the house. But, Adelaide, we are of trifling account 
nov Our years of care and devotion can go for noth- 
ing.'" 

Miss Grovre made a lofty gesture, as much as to say, 
“ Your years of devotion — what are they compared with 
mine? ” Then, confronting Mrs. Kinnard, she continued 
in an injured tone, “ At least, I might have had suflScienI 
warning to remove my poor dead sister’s furniture. That 
belongs to her children. It was bought with her mone3\’ 

115 


116 


NELLY KINNAKD’S KINGDOM. 


“ I have no doubt Dr. Kinnard wiil make ampk 
arrangements for every thing. He has spoken to Mr. 
Bailey about some alterations ; and, when he has decided, 
he will no doubt inform you,” Nelly said quietly, and 
would have passed on. But Miss Grove did not mean 
that she should escape so easily. 

“ You are very innocent of the whole thing, Mrs. Kin 
aardi ” she retorted scornfully. “Mr. Bailey spoke of 
the plan being yours. I have made it a rule of my life 
to set an example of trath — before children at least,” 
and she glanced at Maud. 

“We have discussed it together, Miss Grove ; and J 
did plan a bay-window for some flowers. Dr. Kinnard 
is to settle the matter as he chooses.” 

“ And a sweet penny it will cost before y^ou get 
through! ” cried the elder lady. “ I suppose the whole 
house must be refurnished, and changes upon changes ! 
My son is not a rich man by any means, Mrs. Kinnard.” 

Nelly’s blood rushed to her heart tumultuously, and her 
face was scarlet with indignation. Yet she would not be 
drawn into a quarrel with either of these women : so she 
made great eflbrt at self-control. 

“ You will have the same right to discuss the matter 
with Dr. Kinnard that I have,” she returned with dignit}’. 
“If there are any complaints, make them to him.” 
Then she passed by the irate sister-in-law, and almost 
flew up stairs. 

She heard the tongues long afterward. Why could 
they not concede gracefully 'that she had some rights in 
uhe house, since they knew well that they could not drive 
her out of it by any amount of opposition The little 
sneers and invidious comments were bad enough, and 
often stung her sorely ; but open quarrels she considered 
disgraceful. She had a pride, too, about not being drawn 
into them. The neighborhood should no'i feast over the 
fact of the “Kinnard disagreements,” if she could help 
it 


NELLY KINNARD’s KINGDOM. 


117 


TLe whole afternoon passed, and no husband. She had 
not even the heart to try her pony. Did they grudge hei 
her husband’s gifts? It would seem so; and yet both 
women were blessed with an abundance of their own. 

He came at last, tired out, and a little cross it must be 
confessed ; and he dropped down on the great lounge 
with only a brief word or two, and laid there until the 
bell rang for supper. 

‘‘ How pleasant it is to have you here, Nelly I ” he saia 
then. “ I used to think I would never be able to endure 
a woman about my office ; but I really believe you im- 
prove it, you dark-eyed gypsy. What has happened 
to-day? Been to ride, or had any letters? ” 

“ Neither. I sewed all the morning. But come, or 
we shall keep supper waiting. After that, I want a talk 
with you.” 

He kissed her fondly. He did love her very much ; 
and she suddenly felt strong again. 

The supper- table atmosphere was not a genial one. 
Bertie was verj^ unfortunate. Nothing but his father’s 
presence saved his being sent from the table. Nelly’s 
heart swelled with a sense of injustice. Once Dr. Kir.- 
nard said rather shortly, “ Adelaide, the child would do 
better if you did not badger him continually.” 

Miss Grove raised her head with a most exasperating, 
martyr-like endurance, but, for a wonder, did not reply. 

“Well,” questioned the doctor when they were again 
alone, “ are you going to scold because I absented my- 
self all day? I really could not help it, I assure you. 
And I met Mrs. Glyndon at the house of a patient. I 
am to take you to her house to dinner to-morrow.” 

“ It will be very entertaining to go,” said Nelly with 
a smile. 

“Yes. WTiat a talker that woman is I Her head is 
crammed full of ‘ isms ’ and ‘ ologies ’ and quips ano 
quirks. She should have had half a dozen babies 1 ** 


118 


NELLy KTNNARD'S KINGDOM. 


“ Mr. Bailey was here to dinner/ Nelly ventuied in 
the pause. 

“No! Was he? Did he talk business ? ” And there 
was an amused twinkle in the doctor’s eye. 

“Yes. Your mother and Miss Grove were very much 
surprised,” she answered in a low tone. 

“And there was a declaration of war afterward? I 
can just imagine how the avalanche descended on theii 
devoted heads. ‘ *Twas ever thus from childhood’s hour.’ 
I believe I never undertook any thing without having to 
fight my way through a storm of women’s reasons ; ” and 
he gave a low laugh. 

“ It was not at all funny to me,” exclaimed Nelly in 
a grave tone. 

“ They surely did not dare ” — 

“ They were indignant, and fancied that I was at the 
bottom of the concealment.” 

The doctor indulged in a prolonged whistle, though 
Nelly’s face made him feel rather conscience-stricken. 

“My dear girl, I ought to have explained: that is a 
Chet. But I thought to be here, and I hate so much talking 
about a thing. Surely a man of my age has a right to 
have some voice in his own house. But I will have it 
settled to-morrow ; and, Nelly, if you want a bay-window 
in every room in the house, you shall have it. Come, 
tell me what was said.” 

Nelly repeated a little of the talk, while her inmost 
soul made a protest against tale-bearing. But, after all, 
she should only lose by keeping silence. She could not 
touch the hearts of either of these women by the most 
heroic self-abnegation. They were determined to reduce 
her sphere to its smallest compass. If they would 
attempt it openly, before her husband. But they stood in 
awe of him ; and she had to suffer in a dozen underhand 
ways. Could she go on doing it, and keep her grace, her 
sweetness, her patience, the household virtues that had 
been cultivated in the home of her girlhood? 


NELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM. 


119 


Could she do it ? Why, was not this the very work of 
life ? WTiat did it avail to be charming in temper and 
moods when the whole world was brilliant with sunshine, 
and glowing with tenderness? The Saviour had said, 
“My grace is sufficient for thee,’’ why, then, should she 
doubt? Was it not for such times and seasons that it 
fiad boen promised ? And there stole over her face a soft 
half-smile. He would keep her safely. 

“ What is it?” and, coming around, Dr. Kinnard took 
his wife’s hand in his, and stooped to kiss the soft lips as 
he seated himself beside her. “ What lighted up your 
face in that lovely glow ? ’ ’ 

She flushed a little, and her eyes drooped. 

“ I don’t know as I can quite make you understand,” 
she said with a touch of hesitation. “ I was somewhat 
discouraged at the thought of my own weakness; and 
then came to me a glimpse of the other strength. If I 
can keep clinging to it when I feel cross and impatient 
and troubled. If I can keep in the midst of the blessed- 
ness given out daily, and then give again, as I have 
received. O Barton ! I do hope I shall be a good wife 
to you. I always mean to.” 

“ ^«od I You are like a little angel ! ” he said with a 
voice that had something in it like a I'orced laugh, lest 
the undercurrent of quiver should betray itself. And yet 
he was strangely touched, moved in a way that he would 
have been ashamed, in his man’s fashion, to explain. 

He righted himself at the breakfast-table the next 
Homing. 

“ I am going to have the house altered a little, Ade- 
laide,” he said, turning to Miss Grove. “ Are you going 
to take a summer vacation ? K so, I will wait until you 
and the children are away, as it will make a rather 
troublesome time during a week, at least. Shall you go 
to the seashore? ” 

“ I really have not decided,” returned the lady indif- 
ferently. 


120 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


“ The work will be down here on the parlor-floor, and 
not interfere with the sleeping-rooms. I shall have 
folding-doors put in between the rooms, and some kind 
of a place built out at the southern end. — Nelly, I thinlj 
that idea of Bailey^s, about a porch there, was excel- 
lent.” 

“ I don’t see what you want to tear the house to pieces 
for. Barton,” said his mother peevishly. “It is good 
and substantial, and there is plenty of room in it — at 
least, there always was. And that south window is mj 
favorite place.” 

“ There will still be windows to the south, and favorit« 
places, all the same.” 

“ But, if you are going to put flowers there, I can have 
no good of it at all. Flowers are unhealthy. I should 
think you, being a physician ” — 

“But recent scientific facts have shown that flowers 
are healthy, even in sleeping-rooms. And there will be 
all summer when they are out of doors. I want the 
place brightened up a bit, and opened occasionally^ 3 
never did like the shut-in feeling those two rooms give 
any one.” 

“ But it always was good enough.” 

“ Was it? ” rejoined the doctor dryly. “ I think I have 
heard a deal of complaining in my day.” 

Both women remembered, sorely against their will, that 
nothing about it had ever suited “ Mary.” 

“1 suppose you mean to furnish anew?” said Miss 
Grove loftily. 

“ Well — really — I had not thought about that,” was 
the rather slow answer. 

“ I have endeavored, since my poor dear sister’s death, 
to keep her furniture as nicely as possible. Maud will be 
grown up, some day ; and the articles may have a sacred- 
Diss for her that they fail to keep for any one else. And 
1 do object to having the parlor made a common thorough- 


NBLI.Y KIKNAED’S KINGDOM- 121 

fare. It always seems decidedly vulgar to me to have 
everj^ thing in a glare of light and shabbiness. 

She had gone a little too far. There was an ominous 
sparkle in the doctor’s eye. 

“I suppose the house is mine, if the furniture is not, 
Adelaide,” he returned in that intensely quiet toue he 
used when he meant to speak but once. “ K yon prefei 
keeping it for Maud, I am quite willing. I would much 
rather furnish anew. There is a nice room up in the attic 
that you can use for storage ; and in future there need be 
no fears about opening or using the room. I intend to 
see Bailey to-day, and want to begin the first of next week. 
Mat shall be at your service in carrying up the furniture, 
or any thing else you need.” 

The scarlet blaze of anger had died out of Miss Grrove’s 
face, and an ashen pallor of hate succeeded it. It was not 
her house i she was here on sufferance only. Easy and 
indulgent as Dr. Kinnard had been in most household mat- 
ters, she knew it would not be wisdom to try him too far. 
If she were dependent upon him, he would think some time 
before he could summon sufficient decision to turn her out 
homeless : but she had not even that claim on him, and 
she meant to stay. Aggrieved she was by the fact of this 
second wife ; but her duty to her poor sister’s children gave 
her courage to surmount any unpleasantness. 

“ Very well,” she returned with a bitter emphasis. “ I 
can never forget that Maud’s mother chose every article 
there ; that it will always have a peculiar remembrance 
for her. I will pack them safely in the garret.” 

The doctor winced a little ; yet in his secret heart he felt 
relieved. That furniture had been the bane of his life ; 
and he was glad to' get rid of it with no greater fuss. It 
did seem rather disgraceful that every reminder of his 
first wife should be stored in a garret ; and he ’w as half 
ashamed for the moment. Yet it was a fact that he was 
obliged to face and abide by : there could be no imme> 


122 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


dif te softening of it. The world at large, propriet}^, and 
even his sister-in-law, could not justly complain of any 
disrespect he had shown to Mary Grove’s memory. 
As for that rubbishy, faded red furniture, he could not 
get up any warm sentiment over it. 

Nelly sat there with a burning face and beating heart, 
thinking it hard to be crowded out of love and remem 
brance when one had come to dust and daisies. But Mrs. 
Kinnard broke the awkward silence by saying, — 

“ Barton, have you thought how much this is all tc 
cost? A man at your time of life, and with a famib 
around him, ought to consider a little.” 

“ I have considered,” very briefly ; for the end of hii 
patience was almost reached. “ K I should happen tc 
ruin m3"self by this experiment, the children will not be 
left penniless. As for my wife, if we have to be sold out 
by the sheriff, she and I will try love in a cottage with a 
crust and water, and — peace. — Now, Nelly,” and he 
rose, “ you will not have a great deal of spare time. I 
want to start pretty early; for I have a long list of 
morning-calls before we get to Melcombe. Business 
seems to be rather thriving. I am not quite on the verge 
of bankruptcy.” 

“ Barton has certainly lost his senses I ” And Mrs. Kin- 
nard began to cry when they were within a safe distance 
for such a proceeding. “ Set a beggar on horseback I A 
poor minister’s daughter, and nothing good enough for 
her ! And I never could endure that Mrs. Glyndon.” 

^‘A very underbred and superficial woman. But, my 
dear Mrs. Kinnard, we may be thankful to be allowed to 
stay on an}^ terms. If it were not for my poor sister’s 
children, I should go as soon as I could pack up my 
clothes.” 

“But he is all the near relative I have now; and it 
would be very hard to be separated from my own son. 
Though I am not beholden to him. I have enough of m^ 


NELLY KENNAED’s KINGDOM. 123 

o^n ; and I am resolved that it shall go to poor Mar^ ’e 
children, when I am done with it. Not a penny shall 
they have to waste on theii foolery,” she flung out 
vindictively. 

“ I do think it 3'our duty,” said Miss Grove. “ Tliese 
children are dearer to you than any others can ever he 
It is fortunate there is some little provision for them.” 

“If he could have chosen sensibly, as he did at flrst. 
I can never forgive them for dragging him into such ar, 
imprudent marriage ! ” 

Maud sat drinking in every word. She had quite too 
much of that nanow-minded, precocious wisdom, and, 
even thus early, felt elated at the thought of her own for- 
tune. Bertie, not being interested in this strife of tongues, 
had gone around to his father’s place, and was regaling 
himself with the second cup of coffee, which the doctor 
had left untasted ; and had swallowed it nearly all before 
he was discovered. 

“That child gets worse and worse every day!” de- 
clared Miss Grove as she snapped his ears viciously. “ If 
I could have him to m3^self ; but she will interfere, and she 
Knows no more about bringing up children than a cat. 
You’ll have nothing for j^our dinner but a piece of dry 
oread, Master Herbert, remember that I Go sti’aight up 
stairs, and practise your music one hour. — Maud, keep 
watch of him, and report the slightest inattention.” 

These music practices were a sore punishment to poor 
Bertie. He had no ear and no love for music. Everj 
mistake was followed by a rap over the knuckles, until iif 
had come to hate the sight of a piano. 

Nelly put her room in order, and then donned one of 
her simple gray dresses with a thoughtful air. 

“ Barton,” she said, when thej^ were comfortably seated 
in the buggy, “I want you to tell me one thing truly. 
The cottage and the crust have no terrors for me ; ” and 
she smiled amusedly. ‘ ‘ I have never been at all rich. I 


124 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


even think I could do my own work, and enjoy it, if the 
house were not too large. Can you ajfford all this ” — 

‘‘ Tremendous luxury and expense?*’ and he laughed 
good-humoredly. “Yes; I may safely say that I can. 
You are my wife, Nelly ; and you have a right to know 
just how matters stand with me, — if you care.” 

“ I certainly do,” she made answer. 

“ It is odd ; but I have never been in the habit of ex- 
plaining my own affairs to any extent. I can’t endure 
questioning, as you have no doubt discovered ; and I don’t 
enjoy many comments. But you are a wise little woman, 
and have hit the happy medium between curiosity and in- 
terest. I would rather tell you, for another reason. Mj 
mother has reached that period of life when she begins to 
think of coming to want ; ” and he smiled humorously out 
of his eyes. “You may chance to hear comments that 
would trouble you, if you did not know. The place is 
clear. I am owing no debts ; and have a comfortable 
income, — three thousand or so a year. Not a rich 
man, by any means ; and I am afraid I have no real 
ambition to be one. I should like a few enjoyable j^ears 
before I die ; but the happiness that I want is not 
altogether that which money brings. I have a little 
beside, for a rainy day, and provision made when death 
overtakes me. Can we not jog on together, and enjoy 
our daily bread, without vexing our souls about the iced 
fruit-cake for to-morrow? ” 

“ We can and we will,” responded Nelly with a bright 
glow. 

“ Jane, I find, manages household matters much better 
than they were ever administered before. That is one 
reason why I have not allowed any general interference. 
And now for the rest. I can amply afford the few hun- 
dreds this alteration will cost ; also the new furniture, 
if your ideas are not very extravagant.” 

“I will endeavor to moderate them,” she said with a 
cunning little smile. 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


126 


So they jogged on and on, — past knolls of maple, birch, 
and elm, or chestnuts, now in brown bloom, evvftrgreen 
coverts that were shady and deep, bits and flashes of the 
winding river, bits and flashes of the blue sky overhead. 
Here a squirrel ran out ; there a bird sang, or a great waft 
of odorous sweetness crossed her path, blown from the 
countless shrubs and flowers. She took it all in, — the 
freshness, the abundance, the changeful beauty, and 
thanked God for it, for the chance of getting away from 
the narrow boundaries of care and fret. 

“I do not wonder a man’s world is broader than a 
woman’s,” she said presently: “he has the whole wide 
out-of-doors.” 

“ And she has the extra ruflle on her neighbor’s gown, 
and the new pudding with one more egg in it, dancing 
continually before her vision. I wish I could persuade 
some of these poor tired mothers to put a clean calico 
dress upon their children, and go out to the woods for a 
whole long day. John could get his own dinner for once. 
There are so many senseless things in the world ; and it 
is often quite useless to doctor bodies, when the disease is 
in the mind.” 

And so chatting oflT and on, bits of talks laid between 
the thought and the enjoyment, remembered afterward 
like the scent of sweet-clover laid among linen. Now and 
then she held the reins, while he went in for a call, and 
gave him a sweet smile of welcome as he came out. She 
was so companionable, that was it, — not merely the lov* 
ing, or the being his wife, but that peculiar adaptiveness 
BO delightful when one does meet with it. 

He was loath to leave her at Mrs. Glyndon’s ifter dinner ; 
but he made a little jest of it, and went away And there 
she was in an enchanted house, with a woman who had 
peen blest with nearly all of this world’s gifts, — health, 
wealth, beauty, taste, education, refinement, and, in a 
certain way, genius; a fascinating woman, moreovei, 
11 * 


126 


NELLY KINNAKD’S KINGDOM. 


who had travelled and enjoyed, who was witty, satirical 
daring, and sweet enough when she took fancies, as sh« 
had to Dr. Kinnard’s young wife. 

She questioned her a little about home-matters, deli- 
cately, it must be confessed ; and was rather free in her 
comments upon Miss Grove. Nelly felt half inclined to 
make a friend and confidante of her ; and yet she shrank 
from admitting any family grievance outside the walls of 
home. 

When they returned, they found the parlor despoiled, 
and the shutters thrown wide open. Everybody was quiet 
and sullen, and chilly as a November morning. 

And the next day Mr. Bailey came over again, and 
plans were redrawn for porch and extension. Work was 
to be commenced immediately. Madame Kinnard grum- 
bled about the expense, and fretted about her window, 
and wondered if there would be room for anj^body in the 
house presently. Miss Grove said nothing about going 
away. The doctor went to Wachusett, and brought home 
with him stately little Queen Bess, as he called her, and 
Gertrude, who had not yet given up romping. Nelly’s 
phaeton was in constant requisition ; and Bertie was 
charmed and won by the girl who could climb trees, jump 
ditches, and even waded in the brook. 

‘ ‘ A horrid hoiden ! ’ ’ declared Maud to her few select 
friends, while Dr. Kinnard longed to transfer the glowing 
pink cheeks, laughing healthful eyes, and round, supple 
figure to his own prim, stiff little daughter, who was so 
aounced and puffed and ribboned, that she looked like a 
French wax doll in a fancy-store. Often he wondered 
how he could best place her in the care of her sensible 
young stepmother. 

The porch was completed ; and even Mother Kinnard 
admitted it to be a great improvement There was still 
one pleasant west window left, and the extension was 
really quite a room ; one corner being left for a comforta- 


NEU.Y KINNABD’s KINGDOM. 


127 


ole chair and workstand, the rest shelved prettily, the 
vrood-work being held up by tasteful iron brackets. 
Already it presented a homelike appearance. 

Nelly had made one stipulation about the furniture. 

“Let it be neat and pretty,” she said, “but not ex- 
pensive ; something we can all enjoy, and that will not 
bring Bertie into punishment if he should chance to 
climb on it ; for I think Bertie is slowly being given over 
to my tender mercies.” 

It was too true. When Miss Grove was informed that 
the doctor had resolved to send Bertie to school in the 
village as soon as the fall term commenced, her anger 
was deep, not loud. It seemed as if she took a malicious 
pleasure in having the child positively disagreeable to his 
stepmother. 

The crowning point of all delight to Nelly had been a 
new piano. 

“ It seems as if I was just beginning to live,” Nelly 
said to her own dear mother. “ I am getting fitted into 
my place, and trying to make it a centre of pleasure : if 
I can only be wise and patient.” 

“ One doesn’t get fitted instantly ; and after that is the 
becoming settled and easy and familiar; and then the 
bits of love, and bits of work, the flowers to gather, and 
the flowers that one must let seed for next year’s growing. 
A little kingdom — every household is that — to render it 
fitter for the great kingdom ; to shape and garnish and 
color with good words and works, so that there may be a 
great joy when the other household is entered upon. It 
comes with time. None of us get finished and furnished 
in a few weeks.” 

No. All this was a type of something greater. Lessons 
to be learned every day, blun’ed and crooked writing to be 
gone over, until the angel of the Lord turned the clean 
white page in the other country. She had only gone a 
little distance in this, ~ the kingdom of Here and Now, 
through which we must all make our wav. 


CHAPTER XI. 


Still, when we purpose to enjoy ourselves, 

To try our valor, fortune sends a foe ; 

To try our equanimity, a friend.” — GtOETHB. 

Six months had come and gone since Nelly Kimiard 
had said her bridal vows in the pretty old parish church 
of her childhood. At Edgerly there was one old, sleepy 
church, and a new and rather struggling chapel. It had 
proved a source of mortification to Miss Grove that Mrs. 
Kinnard had elected to cast in her lot with this poor 
interest. What could attract a person of any taste and 
culture ? 

“ I must say,” answered Nelly pleasantly, “ that I 
like Mr. Dudley ever so much better than Dr. Henderson. 
He is so thoroughly in earnest with his work, that it 
inspires one to come to his aid. And where one is needed 
urgently, always seems to me the proper place.” 

“ But there is so much in desirable church associa- 
tions, especially in country-places. One’s position is 
established by the society one is known to keep, and 
judged too. I regret there should be any division in 
the family in such matters. I think it sets a very bad 
example before children; but I must insist upon my 
sister’s children being brought up in her faith, since the 
doctor is not a member anywhere.” 

Her faith ? Alas ! it had not been much of any thing, 
except to go to church on a pleasant Sunday, when she 
had some elegant new garments ; and then she found the 
sermon tiresome, the prayers too long, and the singing 
128 


NELLY KINNAKD’S KINGDOM. 


129 


miserably poor. But Miss Grove had allied herself with 
the most aristocratic church in Edgerly, — a society com- 
posed largely of “ good old families,” who scarcely con- 
descended to look at their neighbors, the mill-owners and 
factory-masters, to say nothing of the under-strata, — 
workers, whom they held in supreme contempt. 

Nelly had felt a little delicate, at first, about the divis- 
ion in religious matters, — that of belonging to different 
denominations. 

“ Go just where you like,” said the doctor. “ I do 
not attend much, anyhow ; but I’ll accompany you when 
I can. And, if you like the chapel best, w^hy, take that, 
then. Many of my poor patients belong there ; and I 
must sa}^, if ever there was an earnest, self-denying man, 
— a man who studied the real good of his fellow-crea- 
tures, body and soul, — Dudley is that one. And there 
are many cases, — more, perhaps, than ministers would 
care to acknowledge, — where you can only get at a man’s 
soul through his body. How much of religion, I wonder, 
is made up of comfortable incomes, pleasant homes, good 
clothes, and nothing special to worry one? Put some of 
these simpering saints in the place of poor Jim Lane’s 
wife, with her drunken husband, her five little children, 
and her daily toil of washing and ironing to get them 
bread, and see how patient, how trusting, how resigned to 
God’s will, they would be. And she brings her little gift 
weekly, Dudley tells me ; saves it out of her hard-earntii 
wages. I declare, it shames us easy-going people. There, 
my dear, I have preached you quite a sermon ; but the 
upshot of it is, if you like to go there, and can help them 
along in any way, never mind Aunt Adelaide.” 

She remembered the lessons inculcated in her girlhood ; 
she could even look back and see how her dear father had 
labored to break down these petty social distinctions, and 
that, year by year, the rich and poor had come nearer to 
each othei e They did not turn out in a mass, and clamor 


130 


NELLY KLNNARD’s KINGDOM. 


^or entrance at rich people’s parties, as Mrs. Fairlie ha»i 
so much dreaded that they would, unless kept in then 
place. 

In spite of what Miss Grove termed “ her unfortunate 
church associations,” young Mrs. Kinnard had -»eeu ^uite 
a social success. She was undeniably st3dish, even in hei 
plainest dressing. Her slender, elegant figure ; her really 
lovely face, in its youth and brightness ; and the something 
in her voice, which was, I think, the cheerful ring ; the 
unaflected tone of warmth and interest, — attracted strong- 
ly. People who had made formal calls once or twice a 
year at the doctor’s began to drop in oftener. Others — 
good-hearted, social people, without much cultivation, but 
who adored him for saving, as they alwaj^s believed, 
the life of a dear child, or wife, or husband — were de- 
lighted to come, from that overfiowing sense of gratitude, 
and said afterwards, “I had such a delightful time! 
Mrs. Kinnard is as lovely as she can be. Why, I almost 
felt as if she was some relation ; so different from Miss 
Grove ! If there ever was an out-and-out old maid, she' 
one. I do wonder how they all get along ; but the doctor’s 
just as happy as he can be. You can see that in his 
face.” 

Which was true enough. He did not grow young or 
radiant: he had too many grave cares for that, too 
great a responsibility of life and death, and carried about 
with him a continual burthen of others’ soriows and per- 
plexities. For of all people, perhaps, a physician feels this 
most keenly, — the undertow of want or care or unhappi- 
ness that keeps dragging back, his patient, and too often 
sets at nought the finest skill, at last, perhaps, drifting 
the poor being out beyond the reach of help. His whole 
l.eart and soul were in his profession : in fact, for years it 
had been his solace, and taken the best of his life and 
Interest. The new influence softened and mellowed. 
Sometimes, in secret, he called himself an old fool, and 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


13l 


tried to be a little cold or pre-occupied ; but the beseech 
ing eyes thawed the deceitful crust, that was not ice ai 
all, but only a shameful make-believe. 

The alteration in the house became a subject of neigli- 
borhood comment and congratulation. Nelly opened the 
parlor- windows every morning, and let in a cheerful, soft- 
toned light here, and a long arrowy ray of sunshine there, 
that gave it an inviting look, without any glare. She was 
an artist by perception. She could have arranged all the 
accessories of a picture, though the genius to paint it was 
not hers. Fan had seemed to inherit that mother-gift. 
But Nelly’s chairs were never ranged stiff against the wall ; 
rather in dainty groups of twos and threes, just as if a 
social part}" sat there a moment ago, chatting. Vases of 
beautiful grasses and fern-leaves, and some brilliant 
autumn trophies, peeped out here and there, instead of 
the ugly, expensive things that had adorned it formerly. 
Its furnishing had not cost half that “ my poor, dear 
sister” had spent; and the doctor felt quite at home, 
lounging on the sofa, while Nelly played and sang. 

She had not left her impress quite so strongly on the 
so-called sitting-room. Mother Kinnard had a way of 
re-arranging. She would straighten out chairs, pile up 
books, push the workstand into some corner, and, not 
infrequently, set the vase of flowers on the mantle-piece, 
after Nelly had placed it on the centre-table. But the 
flower-corner was complete. Nelly had stocked it quite 
to her fancy, with Mat for aide-de-camp. The man had a 
great passion for flowers, and had picked up a little knowl- 
edge, here and there, of their needs and culture. But 
there had never been any place to keep them in the 
winter : so he saw them all die with a sad heart at the 
touch of autumn frosts ; and, when the small greenhouse 
was begun, his delight was boundless. 

“You have won Mat’s heart,” declared the doctor. 

I hardl}' know w"hether to be jealous or not. I’m 


132 


NELLY KINNARD'S KINGDOM 


afraid he will be petitioning for a greenhouse in gO(K 
earnest presently.” 

They had discussed it a little between them : so Nelly 
smiled. 

“ I don’t believe but what I could build one, another 
summer, at a small expense,” Mat had said, tangling up 
his curly chestnut hair. “ There’d be the heating, to be 
sure ; and I don’t just know ” — 

“You might be studying up on the subject, Mat. 1 
have several books that you may look over at j^our 
leisure. And we will see how this succeeds.” 

“ You are very kind, I’m sure. I’ve always had a han- 
kerin’ after such things. I had a little one once, ma’am — 
maybe the doctor told you ? and she used to be forever 
bringin’ in little nosegays, if ’twas no more than a clover 
head and a buttercup, — any thing that had a little coloi 
in it. I never see a bit of clover, but her eyes seem to 
look out of it at me. I wasn’t caring much for suck 
simple things before ; but they seem so near since she 
has gone ! ” 

Ferns had been brought in from the woods, and a great 
box filled. Then there were geraniums, monthly roses, 
carnation-pinks, and flowering vines put out in corners. 
Odd plants, too, that one and another of the neighbors 
sent in, and now that very little was left out of doors, 
save chrysanthemums, the bright bower was a delight 
to Nelly, and gave her bloom enough for some parlor- 
bouquets^ or a few to send to a sick patient. 

But, as Mat had taken a liking to the mistress for her 
bonny face and pleasant ways, Jane’s prejudice had 
grown more bitter and unreasonable. That she was 
young ; that she “ knew nothing about housekeeping, you 
may be sure, girls never do now-a-days ; ” that she put 
on airs ; that she had the doctor ‘ ^ completely under her 
thumb ” — were a few of Jane’s grievances ; for Jane had 
'aken great pride that the doctor could not be ruled 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


133 


^vomenkind, and was not to be caught by the best or 
them. He had been caught. He allowed his wife privi 
leges in the office and the “ den” that were unheard of 
before. He had turned out the first wife’s furniture to 
make room for her nonsense and fiummei]^. Jane was 
severely and intensely practical. She would have had 
nothing in the world but what was useful ; and she would 
iiave shut up the best of that in the parlor, to be dusted 
out once a week, and swept on rare occasions. One 
day, — daring innovation ! — Nelly had set an obnoxious 
vase of fiowers on the dining-table. There had been two 
brackets put up in the hall, on which they were generally 
kept. Jane caught it up indignantly, and restored it to 
its usual place. 

Nelly came in a moment afterward. She had seen the 
movement indistinctly from the sitting-room. 

“ Jane,” she said in a quiet .tone, “ will you please put 
that vase back on the table? I desire to have it there.” 

“ It’s only in the way,” snapped Jane, going steadily 
about her business. 

“ That, I think, is my affair, as it is my table ; ” and 
the voice kept its even, cheerful tenor. “ You will oblige 
me by restoring it to its place.” 

Jane had not the courage to actually disobey in so 
trifiing a matter. It was not in her department, and 
could in no wise interfere with her work or her comfort 
Something stronger than her own angry reasoning im 
polled her ; but it came down with a thump that splashed 
the water, and shook off some of the leaves. 

“ K you had let it be at first, we should not have had 
this litter,” said her mistress. 

Jane slammed the door. For days afterward, she 
snapped, instead of speaking like a reasonable woman 
Even the doctor remarked it. 

“ Jane has a great deal to do,” said Miss Grove ; “ and 
the regular habits of the family have been so broken upi 


134 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


that It makes twice the work. And servants, I suppose 
have much the same feelings and tempers that other peo> 
pie consider their rights.” 

“ It would be better to devote half a day to the tan- 
trum, and get over it;” and the odd twinkle gleamed in 
the doctor’s eye. “ I think I can understand how a person 
can and does get fearfully angry ; but it always seemed so 
small and narrow to me to be venting one’s spite for da^ s 
upon all sorts of inoffending objects. Jane is not as good 
tempered as she used to be ; and, at her best, she is rather 
tr3ring. But yesterday Mat was complaining of her.” 

“It is hardly wisdom to pay attention to servants’ 
tales,” returned Miss Grove with asperity. 

“ I desire to have every one well treated in my house,” 
was the doctor’s pointed rejoinder. 

And so the daring innovation of having flowers on the 
table at meal-times stood its ground in spite of Miss 
Grove’s covert sneers, and Mother Kinnard’s complaints. 
Nelly took them ofl* before the table was cleared ; so that 
Jane should have no excuse for carelessly breaking the 
vase. The former had none of the flne sense of beauty 
in her soul. What society, or “our set,” ordained, was 
fit and proper: to swerve a hair’s-breadth was out of 
taste. Her sphere of thought had grown narrower with 
every year, as her circle had grown smaller. Mrs. 
Kinnard had an old person’s dislike of things and ways 
which she had not been accustomed all her life, or that 
were not brought directly from the city. Jf Barton 
only had married Adelaide, how smoothly matters would 
have gone I 

Bertie was still a bone of contention under the surface. 
Nelly wished sometimes, in moments of vexation, that 
they would do or say the same things in the doctor’s 
presence ; but her enemies were of the wary kind, and 
she was much too proud for complaint, even if she could 
have thought it right. The new liberty emboldened th( 


NEIiLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


135 


child greatly, like all children who have been completelj 
under the domination of a strong will. He was not espe- 
cially bright or companionable : in fact, only Nelly, so 
used to children, realized the darkness and vacancy in the 
poor child’s soul ; while in all matters acquired through 
study, or any process of memory, he was far in advance 
of most children of his age. He took his stepmother’s 
overtures of friendliness in a wondering manner, as if 
he could not quite fathom them, and half Suspected 
some ulterior motive ; but, with a sort of animal instinct, 
he was fascinated by her magnetic voice, the glance of 
her dark, soulful eyes, the touch of her soft hand ; and 
when he began fairly to understand that he, too, had a 
claim upon her, he was quite inclined to mr^ke it para- 
mount and troublesome. He brought her the largest and 
showiest flowers for her hair, and could hardly be made 
to understand why they were not suitable. K he stood 
by her, his feet always became entangled in her dress, 
and a stumble would be the result : if he sat by her, 
he managed to rumple every thing within his reach, and 
sometimes she felt that he was a heavy burthen. 

This preference and awakening of an unreasoning 
aflection stirred a passion of jealousy in Miss Grove’s 
soul. That any child of her “ poor dead sister’s,” so 
wronged by having a young and pretty stepmother 
appointed over it, should hug its chain, and caress its 
jailer, was unendurable. Her claim to this home lay in 
her hold on the children’s hearts; and how had she 
striven to endear herself to them? Maud, it is true, had 
much in common with her aunt ; but, when Bertie grew 
ou‘: of authority, he grew out of every thing. 

She made one effort to persuade Dr. Kinnard to give 
up the school-plan, but found him immovable. 

“You will have enough to do with Maud’s educa 
tion,” he said briefly. “ The boy wants to be with other 
boys.” 


m 


KELLY KIKNAED’S KINGDOM. 


“ I warn you that he will not learn half as much, i 
Aave taken a great deal of pains with these children of mj? 
* poor dear sister.* I cannot, of course, expect them to 
be as dear to any one else. And, since they are to have 
something of their own, it is necessary that they should 
be trained to fill their proper position,’* said Miss Grove 
with a kind of injured dignity. 

“ Very few children are any the better for being brought 
up with money expectations,** returned the doctor impa- 
tiently. “ I do not want any such foolish idea put into 
Bertie’s head. He must take his chance with other 
boys.” 

“As I said, I do not expect any one to be as much 
interested in their welfare as I am ** — 

“ That is all pure nonsense, Adelaide,” interrupted the 
doctor, this time angrily. “ They are my children, you 
will please remember ; and, if I have little of a father’s 
foolish vanity, no one shall question my fatherly interest 
or authority.” 

She knew she had gone far enough then : so she wisely 
let the subject drop. But she managed to work upon 
Bertie’s fears. 

“Will the teacher whip me a great deal?” Bertie 
asked his new mamma one day. 

“ He will not whip j^ou at all, Bertie, unless you are 
very, very naughty.” 

“ But I am always bad,” the child returned in a most 
matter-of-fact way. “ Aunt Adelaide says so.” 

“ Not always, I think. You obey papa and me pretty 
well.” 

“ But you never give me any hard things to do, and 
you take me out driving, and never send me away from 
the table. You are good, although Aunt Adelaide says 
you are not.” 

Nelly flushed indignantly. “ Bertie,” and her tone was 
ver\’^ decisive, “ you must not repeat to me what Aunt 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 13 T 

A-delaide says. If you do, I cannot take you out driv- 
ing. Remember that, will you ? And I do mean to be 
good to you, and love you, for you are my little boy.” 

“ Can I always say mamma to you? ” he asked timidly. 

“Always.” Ah, if she could make him understand I 
If she could have him alone ; but the conflicting influences 
confused his brain, so little used to reasoning. 

“ But I can’t to Aunt Adelaide. She makes me say, 

stepmother.’ ” 

The child had a most unfortunate habit of frankness. 
The only redeeming point in it was, that he was not a 
very communicative child, and somewhat shy of stran- 
gers. Nelly had worked hard for her little influence over 
him. 

This came to the doctor’s attention one day. 

“ Adelaide,” he said sharply, “ when you speak to the 
children of Mrs. Kinnard, I want you to call her mamma, 
or mother. Stepmother is a hateful term anyhow ; and I 
will not have it used in my house.” 

“Can I help what the world says. Barton? If yoi 
wanted it to approximate nearer a fact, you should haT e 
mari’ied an older woman. The relation is apparent at a 
glance. And people will call things by their true names,” 
with a somewhat bitter emphasis. 

“ I married to suit myself. I have giving the children 
a kind, affectionate, pleasant-tempered mother ; and I will 
have her respected as such in this house. K you, or any 
one, tiy to widen the breach, it will be at the risk of m3’ 
most serious displeasure.” 

Maud studiousl3^ refrained from giving Nelly any name 
while in her presence ; but elsewhere she always said, 
“ My stepmother,” with a kind of martyr-like air ; and, 
when she and Aunt Adelaide were together, they used no 
other term. Jane, too, had been rebuked b3^ the doctor; 
and it added- another fagot to the smouldering embers of 
her dislike. 


12 * 


138 


NELLY KINNARD'S KINGDOM. 


So far, it must be conceded, Jane had held her wa^ 
royally. She was housekeeper at Dr. Kinnard’s ; and 
woe betide the unlucky wight who dared to speak of hei 
as a servant ! A woman came in on Monday to help with 
the washing. The last piece must be up by ^hree o’clock, 
and then commenced the ironing of the plain clothes, as 
they were taken down from the line. There was cold 
meat for dinner ; but it was always nice, — and much tart« 
ness until the ironing was finished. After that Jane 
devoted herself heart and soul to cooking until Friday 
morning, when she swept the house through. The dust- 
ing could be done by each individual at her leisure. In 
the afternoon came scrubbing ; and on Saturday the house 
was like a new pin. She was proud of her abilities ; 
and they were of the old-fashioned, severe order. Nelly 
accepted her, as every one else had, though she managed 
to make a few alterations in the rigid rule. When the 
doctor was out past meal-time, she arranged a dainty 
table in the “ den,” which was certainly outgrowing it& 
name, and taking on an inviting and hospitable appear- 
ance. She brought in the daring innovation first on 
washing-day ; and Dr. Kinnard was delighted beyond 
measure. To be sure, Jane’s kitchen was large and 
clean : there were two or three be^^ond, and it would have 
answered well for a dining-room. But the doctor enjoyed 
the cosey meal alone with his wife so very much, that he 
I roposed releasing Jane from such service in the future. 
I’rue, there were many little snubs and discomforts ; but 
Nelly took them patiently. No one should say with truth 
that she had made the first diflSculty in the house. 

Every one except Aunt Adelaide agreed that having 
Bertie away at school was a decided success. The house 
was so much quieter. At half-past eight some one was 
generally ready to take him to the village ; and, as he fre- 
quently walked home, he was not back until four. He 
liked it too. Truth to tell, he did not have to study half 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 13S 

as hard as under his aunt’s regime. After a week or 
two Mr. Herrick had said to the doctor, — 

“ Kinnard, that boy of yours has been dreadfully 
crammed. He has a very retentive memory, and fail 
powers of application ^ but he has not been taught to 
think, or to depend upon himself. I shall have to take 
']iiite a different method with him, and he may seem not 
to improve so rapidly ; but it will be better for him in the 
enl. He will be a boy, not a prodigy.” 

“Very well,” returned the doctor: “ it is just what 1 
want. I don’t delight in prodigies myself.” 

The latent brightness in Bertie, repressed by his aunt's 
rigidity and sternness, cropped out now and then. He 
grew rougher and noisier : he even had the temerity to 
indulge in a whistle now and then. Nelly had hard work 
to keep him within bounds ; for Miss Grove seemed to 
take delight in bringing out his worst points. If they 
only could pull together, Nelly thought regretfully ; but 
she saw with pain, that, whatever she joined in, Miss 
Grove would not only leave, but throw covert obsta- 
cles in her way. No authority in the house was to be 
shared. 

“ Mrs. Kinnard is a very headstrong and self-willed 
young person, with no experience whatever,” Miss Grove 
was fond of explaining to her friends. “ I can plainly 
foresee that the child will be ruined. When he becomes 
perfectly unmanageable, no doubt he will be thrown back 
upon my hands.” 

Nell}^ Kinnard was not thinking of the children, as she 
stood, in a rather abstracted manner, pinching dead leaves 
from her plants, and training up tender shoots that showed 
a disposition to go astray. That morning she had taken 
Bertie to school, made a few purchases in the village ; 
and, as she was driving slowly homeward, Mr. Dudley 
had overtaken her. 

“ O Mrs. Kinnard I ” he exclaimed, “ T was just going 


’,40 NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 

out see you. I have a matter of importance to talfe 
over.” 

“ Very well. Will you take a little drive with me, and 
explain it? ” she said cordially. 

“Would you mind driving toward Northrup’s Mill? 
There is a sick woman I must see ; and the morning is 
glorious.” 

“ With pleasure.” 

He sprang in, and, after a few pleasant comments on 
various matters, launched into his plan. 

“ What I want is something to bring the people together 
socially. We had a Mite Society last winter ; but it was 
given over into the hands of the younger members, who, 
after a while, did not care to go, unless they could have a 
good time. Our sewing-society languished also. I should 
like to unite the two, and mingle the young and the elders 
together. Now, if we could have a sewing-society meet, 
say, once a month, in the afternoon, to make up garments 
for the poor, or perhaps fancy articles, with a simple, 
tea, and gentlemen coming in the evening, and young 
people who might not be able to give the whole afternoon. 
We could have conversation and music, and whatever 
other diversions were thought best;” and he glanced at 
her questioningly. 

“ Why, I think it an admirable idea. I do not see 
that you need any help in the plan ; ” and she smiled. 

“ I am glad it meets your approval. You see, neither 
young nor old could fancy themselves justified in staying 
away. And now what I want is some one to take hold 
of it with a vim, and make it a success. I would have 
them meet first at the rectory, but I have no wife to enter 
into the scheme ; and, though Mrs. Chase is an excellenl 
housekeeper, I am quite afraid this would be beyond her. 
She could do every thing perfectl}" but the entertaining ; 
and that would frighten her to death. So much depends 
upon the manner in which a plan blossoms out I ” he com 
tinued anxiously 


NELLY KINNABD’s KINGDOM. 


141 


Indeed it does,** said Nelly warmly. 

•‘And that brings me to the point of my errand. 1 
want to persuade you to undertake it. Ycu have the 
prestige of being a clergyman* s daughter, and know how 
these matters ought to be managed. Then you are Dr. 
Kinnard*s wife, and occupy that broad, middle-gi’ound 
position, not unlike that of a clerg 3 Tnan*s household 
Neither highest nor lowest would be afraid to come 
Then I think you could make it a success. Seventeenthly 
and lastly, — and this is an important part,** glancing at 
her with a piquant smile, — “I fancy you would have the 
courage to give the assembled multitude a plain tea. 
You would not be afraid of being called ‘ stingy ; * ** and 
he laughed. “ If Mrs. Dr. Kinnard gave people sandwiches 
and one kind of cake, with perhaps a plate of grapes or 
apples, Mrs. Newburj^ or Mrs. Thornton might follow in 
such sensible footsteps. I have thought of seven people 
who could have this entertainment ; and that will take us 
quite along. Now have I made a bad beginning? ** 

“ I should like very much to do it,** said Nelly frankly. 
“ I will consult the doctor;** and then she thought of 
the home-arrangements that could not be explained. 

“But I had his permission fii’st for consulting you,** 
ISIr. Dudley announced with an expression of amusement 
“Then you may consider it settled. I have been 
thinking, ever since I came to Edgerly, that there ought 
to be some attractive social life in the church.** 

“We did quite well last winter ; but I felt that I wanted 
it placed on a new basis. K you will only help me,** he 
said entreatingly. 

“ Begin with a moderate estimate of my abilities,*' she 
returned gayly. “ I am a stranger, for one thing, a new- 
comer ; and my ways may not be as attractive as 3 / 0 U 
think.** 

“ I am quite willing to risk that.*’ 

Then they went on to discuss the minor points, — the 


142 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGLOM. 


hard work it had been with this small ami poor interest, 
since most of the well-to-do people preferred to go to the 
wealthier church. They arranged their plan satisfactorily ; 
and afterward Nelly laid it before the doctor, who assented 
willingly. On Sunday notice had been given out for the 
Wednesday evening following. Nelly had not deemed it 
prudent to inform Jane on Mondaj^; and here it was 
Tuesday morning. She found that she, like the rest, 
had fallen a little in awe of Jane ; and she smiled at 
herself, thinking of it. But domestic altercations were 
not pleasant; and they had marked every step of the 
way in her new home. Was it strange that she shoulo 
sigh a little for the sweet peace left behind with hei 
girlhood ? 

“I am actually growing cowardly,** she said, giving 
herself a kind of mental shaking. “ I will not put it iMf & 
moment longer.** 


CHAPTER Xn. 


A warm hearth, and a bright hearth, and a hearth swept clean. 

Where the tongs don’t raise a dust, and the broom isn’t seen ; 

Where the coals never dy abroad, and the soot doesn’t fall, — 

Ohl that’s the fire for a man like me, in cottage or in hall.” 

The large kitchen was almost painfully tidy: Jane 
stood at the farther end, ironing, as Mrs. Kinnard en- 
tered. She glanced up, then down again at her work. 

“ Jane,” said her mistress in a pleasant tone, “ I have 
a little matter to — to lay before you, and consult you 
about. The sewing-society of St. Mark’s Church is to 
meet here to-morrow afternoon. The new regulation is 
to be a simple supper, — sandwiches and one kind of cake. 
But it will make some extra work ; and you had better 
have help in washing the dishes. Biscuits and bread, 
and boiled ham or tongue ” — 

Jane sat down her iron with decision, and looked her 
young mistress square in the face. 

“Who is going to make bread and biscuits?” she 
demanded in a tone that would have been insolent, but 
for its unsympathetic hardness. “ I sha’n’t be through 
ironing until mid-aftemoon.” 

“ I don’t know how you will manage with Jane,” the 
dector had said. “Wait until after washing-day, and 
then go carefully.” 

“ I shall be very glad to make them myself. The 
doctor sent home some tongues yesterday, and there is 
part of a cold ham ; enough, I think. I might prepare 
the tongues for boiling while you have your ironing-fire. 

143 


144 


NELLY KOmABD’S KINGDOM. 


The bread, I suppose, is nearly out. To-morrow i* 
baking-day — 

“ Family baking. But you don’t suppose there would 
be enough for a raft of people?” was the gruff assump- 
tion. “I haven’t been used to such doings. If I’d had 
a longer notice ; but as it is ” — 

Jane looked up again to take the measure of her mis- 
tress. She had had several battles with Miss Grove and 
Mother Kinnard, before she made them “ understand their 
places,” as she phrased it. “ For I won’t have any one 
poking around a kitchen of mine,” was her favorite 
announcement. “ I’m here to do the work ; and I can do 
it too.” Once Miss Grove had gone so far as to dis- 
charge her ; but the doctor had reinstated her, and begged 
that his sister-in-law would not interfere in the future. 

This slender, girlish figure, this youthful face, almost 
pleading in its desire for reconciliation, did not appear a 
very formidable adversary. Jane set her lips firmly, and 
stared out of her steel-blue eyes. 

“We shall not want the biscuit made before to-morrow 
morning, in any event ; and nothing could have been done 
yesterday, as you well know. Indeed,” — to give her 
authority more weight, — “the doctor preferred that I 
should not speak of it yesterday. I have been used 
to cooking and baking, sometimes for a large number, 
and could get the things ready myself ; will be glad to, 
since you are so busy. K I can have the fire this after- 
noon, therefore ” — 

“ Well, you can’t,” interrupted Jane fiercely. “ What- 
ever Is done in this kitchen, I do ; it’s what I’ n here for. 
I can’t work with anybody fussing round, as the doctor 
knows. Jf I’m to cook, and get meals, and do the work 
generally, I must plan for myself. I can’t be ordered 
about, nor have other people planning ” — 

“ Jane,” Mrs. Kinnard said with unmistakable dignity, 
“ I think you forget to whom you are talliing. I am Dr 


NELLY KINNARD'S KINGDOM. 


145 


.Km Hard 's wife, and, by virtue of that, mistress in this 
iiouse. It is not i>y duty to consult you as to who shall 
come in it, or at what particular time they shall come ; 
and it is my privilege, at least, to enter and inspect every 
room in my house; and, if I choose to do any kind of 
work, I shall do it.” 

This was not just the kind of enemy that Jane had 
v^anquished before ; but she was resolved not to haul down 
her colors. She tossed her head with an indignant air, 
and confronted her mistress boldly. 

“Dr. Kinnard is my employer; and my bargain is 
made with him,” she retorted angi’ily. “Tve always 
said I never would bargain with a woman, and I never 
will. And if he wants any thing ” — 

“ He does not want any thing. The members of my 
own church have been invited to hold their sewing-sociely 
at this house to-morrow afternoon. It is my entertain- 
ment. I shall see that the supper is prepared.” 

“ See to it, then,” and Jane gave a scornful laugh. 
“ Perhaps you will see to the ironing, and to the 
dinner?” 

Nelly could not endure that. Indeed, she wondered 
now how she had endured Jane’s insolent bearing from 
the first. Her eyes flashed forth their indignation ; and, 
though her lip quivered, her voice was steady. 

“Jane,” she said, “I want you to give the matter a 
little calm thought, and then decide. If 3^ou stay, you 
win remember that I am mistress in this house, that I 
have a right to give orders, and expect to have them 
obeyed. K you choose to apologize for this unwarranted 
conduct, you can remain, otherwise you may consider 
yourself discharged. Leave your ironing.” 

“Finish it, then, and get your dinner! I am not 
beholden to any one for a living. But I guess Dr. Kin- 
nard will have something to say about it.” 

“ Very well ; ” and the mistress stood her ground fear 


146 


NELLY KTNNAKD’S KINGDOM. 


Jane marched off in high dudgeon, and, a minute latei 
was regaling Mother Kinnard with a somewhat exagge- 
rated description of the affair. 

Nelly took a survey of the situation. It was ten 
o’clock. There was steak for dinner, vegetables to be 
prepared, and dessert to be made. In nothing must she 
fail. Seeing Mat pass the window, she called to him. 

“ Will you go to Mrs. Daly’i, Mat, and ask her to 
come here at once. Tell her that I wish to see her par- 
ticularly.” 

Mat was off in an instant. Nelly finished ironing the 
skirt Jane had left, and had begun with another piece, 
when Mrs. Daly made her appearance, — a nice, pleasant- 
looking woman of thirty-five, in a pretty calico gown, and 
linen collar, and with a cheerful face that won you at 
once. She was a widow, and did sewing generally ; though 
now and then she went out to help a neighbor in sickness 
or trouble. 

“ Mrs. Daly,” began Nelly with a smile, “I am in a 
little perplexity, and took the liberty of sending for you. 
Jane has mutinied, and I want some assistance. The 
prospect of the sewing-society seemed too much for her.” 

“I wonder that you stood her even this long, Mrs. 
Kinnard. She’s a splendid hand at work ; but she has a 
queer temper. She had it as a girl. She never would 
work under any one. And now what shall I do?” 
With that, Mrs. Daly took off her bonnet and shawl. 

There is dinner to get, and the ironing to finisli. I 
am really anxious to go on promptly. When a girl like 
Jane gets to thinking herself so absolutely necessary as 
she has been for the past two or three years, it is as well 
fir her to have a lesson. But, first, were you busy?” 

Fortunately not. I had just finished some shirts for 
Mr. Hildreth, and thought I would take a holiday. What 
is there for dinner? The inevitable potato, of course. 
Can I not see to the vegetables first? ” 


NELLY KINNAKD’S KINGDOM, 


147 


“ If you will. How good you are to me, Mrs. Daly ! ” 
Nelly said impulsively. “ Sending for you came like ao 
inspiration to me.” 

“ I am glad you did.” 

They went at the dinner in earnest, although some time 
was wasted in finding what they needed, being new to the 
place. Then Nelly bethought herself of a pudding that 
-was a great favorite with them at home, and tried her 
hand at it. When Mrs. Daily had her part in train, she 
went back to the ironing ; and the two had a rather merry 
visiting-time. But, when Nelly went to set the table, she 
found Mother Kinnard seated in one of the great easy- 
chairs, looking very solemn indeed. She went around in 
silence for a few minutes ; then the elder lady broke it, 
saying, in a rather sharp tone, — 

“ I think you have made a great mistake quarrelling 
with Jane.” 

The color flashed to Nelly’s brow. She hated so to be 
accused of quarrelling. 

“ There was no cause of dispute. I was explaining a 
matter to Jane, and she took umbrage at it, and was very 
insolent. I suppose I am mistress of the house ; at least, 
sufliciently so to have a servant attend to any request.” 

“ M}^ son will never give up Jane, never. You have 
had very little experience with servants, or you would bo 
able to recognize her superior capabilities at once.” 

“I do consider her an excellent woman in many 
respects ; and yet it does not seem right to me that a 
whole household should come under the domination of a 
domestic.” 

“ Well, you will see. You, at least, had no right to 
discharge her. Although she will not go away.” 

Nelly bit her lip hard to keep from an indignant reply . 
Arguing the point was useless ; so she went on with hei 
work. The dinner-bell rang promptly, and the table was 
In its usual order. Nelly had bathed her face, and put on 


.48 


NELLY KENNAED’S KINGDOM. 


a dainty white ruffled apron. Miss Grove came dow3 
stairs the moment the doctor entered the hall. He kisseo 
his wife quietly, — the foolishness both women sneered 
at, — and took his place. 

“ How elegantly this steak is broiled ! ” was his rather 
unusual comment. “Jane has exceeded herself, which is 
saying a good deal, especially on ironing-day. My idea 
of comfortable living is — and when I am rich enough I 
shall indulge in it — to have a laundry entirely distinct 
from the house, and to keep an extra person to manage 
it, who need not bring her temper into the regular house- 
hold department. How will that do, Nelly? 

“ It would answer admirably, and not be very expen- 
sive, either.’’ 

“ I proposed it once to Jane ; but she did not seem to 
understand the manifold advantages.” 

Mother Kinnard had planned an attack very nicely, 
she thought ; but the doctor’s commendation quite de- 
stroyed the point of it, and she preserved a discreet 
silence. Nelly changed the cun-ent of the conversation ; 
but she knew it must come presently. She touched the 
bell, and Mrs. Daty entered to remove the plates. Dr. 
Kinnard glanced up, and nodded cheerfully ; but his 
mind had settled then on the rather puzzling symptoms 
of a patient. 

Miss Grove ate a little of her pudding. Was the whole 
meal to pass, and nothing to be said? So she entered the 
wedge herself. 

“Maud, my dear,” in a peculiarly marked tone, “I 
am sorry to deprive you of dessert ; but this pudding is 
quite too rich for you. Do not eat any more.” 

The doctor glanced up. 

“ I was thinl^ing it delightful. It has quite a new taste 
to me. Is it ruinously rich, fit food for dyspepsia? ” 

“ I should think it certainly was.” 

“ On the contrary-. Miss Grove, it is not as rich as one 


NEIJiiY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


149 


Dr two that Jane makes, which are eaten with great com 
placency,’’ retui-ned Nelly, trying to keep her voice 
steady. 

“Why, where is Jane? — called home? Her mother 
was no worse yesterday. I was in there.” 

“I will explain the matter by, and by,” returned his 
wife. “ Will you have some more pudding? ” 

“Well, yes. Is it a preparation of your .^aiiy 
fingers? ” 

She laughed and blushed, happy to have satisfied him 
in this her first meal, and feeling that she had vanquished 
Jane. Her husband questioned no further, to Miss 
Grove’s great dissatisfaction. 

Afterward, in the ofiSce, Nelly told her story. Dr. 
Kinnard looked very grave. 

“ You, see,” he said in return, “ I had to take Jane’s 
part in the beginning. Mother and Adelaide would never 
have agreed in ordering a servant. She has grown into 
authority by degrees ; and, honestly, we have all helped to 
make her of consequence. But, when it comes to such an 
issue as this, there is but one course. I shall be sorry to 
lose her, and you will have a good deal of trouble and 
anxiety before you are suited again ; but you are mistress 
of this department.” 

“ Oh, thank you a thousand times, Barton ! ” and she 
kissed his broad forehead. “ I was so afraid you would 
blame me ; but I did try to be patient.” 

“ I have bean thinkin g for some time that a change 
might be beneficial. Mat complains a good deal. The 
truth is, Jane is somewhat of a tyrant. Now, if you will 
send her to me, we will have the matter settled. Possibly 
your dinner took me on the weak side ; ” and he smiled. 

“ I would rather have her discharged. Barton. 1 cer- 
tainly can manage. So please do not take an apology.” 

Then she sent Mrs. Daly to summon Jane. The irate 
woman went down to the oflice with a lofty air, having 
18 * 


150 


NELLY KLNNARD’S KINGDOM. 


fortified herself with various points and arguments whick 
were quite needless. Indeed, she was so surprised and 
stunned by the sudden turn in affairs, that she allowed 
herself to be overwhelmed by the first fiood, and then 
could not regain her footing. Consequently she propped 
up her failing cause with anger, and lost it. 

After dinner she packed her trunk, and retired from the 
scene of action, taking with her the warm sympathy of 
two members of the family. And yet, down in her heart, 
Mother Kinnard felt rather relieved ; for she had not 
enjoyed Jane’s supreme power. 

“But that is the first move,” she said to Miss Grove. 
“ She winds Barton completely around her finger. We 
cannot tell whose turn it will be to go next.” 

Nelly and Mrs. Daly made ready for the sewing-society, 
and found it no wonderful burthen. Mrs. Daly knew of 
a 3^oung girl who was very ready to come in and help wait 
on the supper-table. Soon after dinner a wagon arrived 
with baskets and bundles of sewing-materials ; and pres- 
ently the people began to gather. 

The hall stove had been put up, and diffused a cheerful 
warmth throughout. All the doors were open, and the 
windows arranged to let in sufficient light and sunshine 
without making a glare. The state-parlor looked cosey 
and inviting. Pictures were shadowed with a bit of over* 
hanging green, intermixed with scarlet autumn foliage. 
There were clusters of ferns that seemed endued with life 
and freshness, as they made a background for a bust or 
small statuette. The open piano had an hospitable air ; 
and the books and engravings were provocative of idleness, 
rather than industry. 

Mr. Dudley soon made his appearance. He had prom- 
ised to come in time for re-organizing. Here were the 
officers of the old society ; and everybodj^ went to tell- 
ing what it had been. . Nelly helped Mr. Dudley to lead 
them back to business, and, after a little, the heads agreed 


NELLY KINNARD'S KINGDOM. 151 

The afternoon would be for work, the evening foi 
entertainment; and the clause was inserted for simple 
suppers, though each woman made a mental resen^ation, 
until she saw what Mrs. Kinnard had. Then the woik 
was drawn out. A few garments, a little half-finished 
faiiC3**woTk, patchwork, planning, and gossiping. Nelly 
tried to keep the latter very friendly in its tone. No 
minister’s wife could have been more judicious. 

There was another quiet little triumph that Nelly was 
enjoying immensely: this was the presence of Mother 
Kinnard, who in the beginning had ten minds out of the 
dozen against coming in. It wasn’t “ our church,” and it 
wasn’t exactly “my son’s company;” and she still felt 
sore about Jane’s discharge, and predicted that the thing 
would be a failure. But there was Mrs. Woodbmy dressed 
in black silk and lovely old laces, taking, in a thankful 
spirit, Nelty’s pretty adornment of a sprig of purple helio- 
trope in her waving, silvery hair, and saying, “ Thank you, 
my dear ! I would have gone twice as far for a bit of 
heliotrope,” Then, when she brought her work over by 
Mrs. Kinnard, the old lady could not help thawing out a 
little; for Mrs. Woodbury belonged to one of the “old 
families,” and her son was a representative at Washington. 
Then Nelly coaxed Mrs. Irwin into their circle, and left 
them chatting amiably. And so she moved from one to 
another, introducing some shy-looking girls, bringing 
groups together, and drawing out the social element. 
Others kept dropping in, and adding a stir and gentle 
confusion. “How much the rooms were improved!” 
“What a pretty conservatory!” “And how did Mrs. 
Kinnard manage to have so many flowers in bloom during 
the transition season ? ” “ And who ever thought of hav- 

ing such lovely pansies in the fall ! — quite as large as hot- 
house pansies.” Of course she had been to Golden’s 
Rock for ferns ; and wasn’t Kelly’s Falls a beautiful spot? 
And then had she read this or that? and did she kno?» 
how this apron was to be put together? 


162 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


“ I declare/* Mrs. Woodbiiry said with a cordial, 
motherly smile, “you might be a minister’s wife! I am 
almost sorry that Mr. Dudley did not get the start of 
our good doctor. Wh}-, I never saw a sewing-society 
managed so admirably ; and still the people come.” 

It was getting dusk now. Dr. Kinnard hurried through 
with the last of his patients, and was home early, as Nelly 
had begged of him. Mrs. Daly was arranging the table 
quietly, without the rattling of si)oons and knives and 
forks, — Jane’s usual accompaniment. Some of the elder 
gentlemen came to tea, and talked over chm’ch-matters 
and business-matters. The coffee and tea were fragrant, 
the bread and biscuit delightful, the cake plain, and great 
dishes of grapes afterward. When the long dining-table 
had been filled, Nelly brought out some cosey little tables, 
and seated two or four at them. The younger people 
stood up, or rambled around, with a plate in their hands, 
laughing and chatting. Dr. Kinnard did himself more 
than justice. He added life and zest, told two or three 
capital stories, and made everybody admu’e him more 
than ever. 

They lingered over the table as if loath to break up the 
sociality ; and at last Nelly begged her husband to take 
the crowd around him into the parlor. Miss Grove had 
condescended to come down to tea, and brought Maud, 
dressed like a fashion-plate. 

“ I suppose you hardly lay claim to your little daughter 
yet,” Mrs. Woodbury said in a low aside, when she 
found herself in a recess with Nelly. “ Miss Grove 
is an admirable woman in some respects ; but it doesn’t 
seem to me that she understands childhood at all. She 
acts as if it were something to be ashamed of, and laid 
aside as soon as possible. Now, I think true, pretty- 
behaved children are as much addition to a house as a 
beautiful picture, just in appearance merely; and then, 
when we think of them as our fubarc men and women, we 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 15S 

long to have their lives complete and harmonious, with a 
springtime to them. And that poor little thing looks to 
me as if she never ran and played, or laughed freely. 
And she is dressed as if for a ball.” 

“Her aunt takes entire charge of her,” Nelly said 
slowly. 

“Yes. But I can’t help wishing Providence would 
place her in your hands. Yom* own childhood is not so 
far back, but that you remember it.” 

There was a little sh^mess among the young folks about 
playing. If ]Mrs. Kinnard would only give them some- 
thing first. So Mrs. Kinnard played a very spirited quick- 
step, and, at Mr. Dudley’s desire, sang that sweet little 
home-song, “Don’t be sorrowful, darling.” Twenty 
years from this, would she sing with a stiU sweet voice? — 

“ We have had our May, my darling, 

And our roses long ago ; 

And the time of the year, is coming, my dear. 

For the silent night and the snow.” 

The only trouble with the evening was its brevity. 
Ever}"body was glad they had come, and sorry for those 
who had staid away. Mrs. Woodbury proposed to have 
the society next time at her house. 

“But you will surely come,” she entreated of Mrs. 
Kinnard. “ And, my dear, I want to see more of you. 
I am an old lady, to be sure ; but I still enjoy youth and 
brightness. And the doctor has always been such a favo- 
rite of ours. Come over and take tea with me in an in- 
formal way, and then ask me to spend the day with you, 
I get quite lonesome at times. My children are all 
married, and away ; and my grandchildren can only come 
during vacations. Now remember. I do not ask favors 
verj’ often ; ” and she kissed the fair face with motherly 
warmth. 

Tlie elder Mrs. Kinnard stood at a little distance, and 


154 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


saw not only that, but some other very cordial partings 
She understood, too, how very proud her son had been of 
his wife all the evening. Hardly another girl or woman 
in the room was as pretty ; and yet she had no self-con 
sciousness about it, — cordial, winsome, with a peculiai 
dignity that did not detach her from her husband, but 
made the years between less apparent. And to-night 
Miss Grove looked undeniably old. Whether it was her 
sage-green silk, which was very unbecoming, but had the 
merit of being a new color, or her supercilious air, Mrs. 
Kinnard could not decide. She had a misgiving, how- 
ever, that ‘^dear Adelaide’’ could never have made these 
people so enjoy themselves, or have won such golden 
opinions, or even brought the proud and happy look to 
“ my son’s face.” She had not been called upon to 
love her first daughter-in-law. Mary Grove was not 
given to sentiment ; and then, too, she had many othei 
interests to life at that time. She seemed to feel a little 
jealous now of Mrs. Woodbury’s fondness. There are 
natures in this world that never can appreciate any thing 
until the verdict of others settles the claim ; and Mrs. 
Kinnard ’s was of this stamp. She might always consider 
her son foolish because he chose a poor wife when he 
might have had a rich one ; but to-night she felt how 
sweet youth and beauty were to him ; how he basked in 
it, as if it were sunshine. And even Mr. Dudlej^ had 
studied curiously this bright, entertaining woman, with 
her exquisite social tact, her charming variety and 
adaptiveness, that infused a broad and generous charm 
outside of herself. The wedding-party, under Miss 
Grove’s management, had been stiff and lifeless in com- 
parison with this. 

And when thej^ had all gone with merry good-nights 
and warm invitations. Dr. Kinnard took a long glance out 
into the frosty air and starry sky, while his wife and 
mother stood there together. 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 15/i 

“ Did you think it was pleasant?” Nelly asked timidly 
femarlcng the softened lines about the other’s face. 

“Why — 3 'es,” with some hesitation. “I had no 
idea as many good families went to St. Mark’s. Thej? 
used to go to Grace. And you’ve done very well to- 
night., — better than I thought you could, without Jane.” 

The doctor shut the door at that moment. “ To teli 
the truth,” he said laughingly, “ Jane has been a sort of 
family ogre to us. I am glad she has gone. Mat says 
the kitchen is lilie paradise : so we will put up with a 
few mishaps and blunders for a while, hoping to end 
happily with a new servant who is not a scold.” 

“ Mrs. Mercer told me of a woman that I am going to 
see to-morrow, — a German woman, whose husband was 
killed in a mill some months ago. She has one little 
child, a girl, and has gone out washing ; but the girl at 
Mrs. Mercer’s said she wanted a service place for the 
winter.” 

“ Be sure to learn what her cooking capabilities are. 
I can’t have you in the kitchen all the time, getting your 
face burned. What was her name? ” 

“ Mary Berkman ; and she lives in Allen’s Row.” 

“ Berkman — yes, I do remember — was caught in the 
machinery, poor fellow I Do you know that it is almost 
midnight, Mrs. Kinnard? and those society people were 
to go home at ten o’clock.” 

“ They did begin at that time,” returned Nelly laugh- 
ingly. 

“ Dudley’s delighted. He told me privately that they 
had taken in twenty-three dollars, and that he is quite 
sure no one could have made it such a success as y^ou 
did. 1 really thought it very enjoyable ; and I’m not 
much used to such things.” 

Nelly Kinnard laid a tired head upon her pillow ; and 
yet she could not go to sleep. There were so many 
ideas floating through her brain — worlds to conquer ; and 
Mother Kinnard had actually praised her. 


156 


NELLY KENNAED’s KINGDOM. 


Tf it wasn’t for Aunt Adelaide, I am quite confiden' 
that I could make her love me,” the young wife thought 
“ And she ought to love Barton ever so much better 
VHiy is tliere not more real, vital love in the world that 
is not afraid to speak or to act for itself? ” 


CHAPTER Xm. 


“ A creature not too bright or good 
For human nature’s daily food, 

For transient sorrows, simple wiles, 

Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles.” 

WOBDSWCBm 

“They’ll be glad enough to take me back again,” 
Jane had said to her sister the day she left the Kin- 
nards’. “ I’ve been through this before, and don’t feel 
at all alarmed. I know how to get along with those 
women ; and not another girl in this town could manage 
either one of them. Mrs. Kinnard thinks she’s wonder- 
fully smart ; but she’ll see I ” 

And she did see. She found Mary Berkman the next 
morning, — a somewhat stout, rosy, good-natured looking 
woman, who could wash and iron with any one, and do 
plain cooking. “ She could learn other things,” she 
said with a cheerful smile. But she must take her little 
girl. She would go for less wages, if she could have her ; 
and the child was very handy and quiet, and quick to 
mind. So Nelly proposed she should cornea month on 
Irial. Her cottage she could rent ; and thus the bargain 
was concluded. 

Mrs. Daly remained until Mary made her appearance. 
Mother Kinnard fretted about the child ; but Nelly 
smoothed the matter by saying, that, if she proved a 
trouble, it was only for a month. So Mary took hei 
place in the kitchen ; and with a pleasant mistress to 
induct her, and explain the ways of the family, she 
14 167 


158 


NELLY KXNNARD'S KINGDOM. 


soon felt at home. Little Katy was very shy and quiet 
and ready enough to do errands out of school. 

Nelly astonished both her husband and his mother bv 
her housewifely ways. Never was revolution in Dr. 
Kinnard’s house more quietly effected. Not that they 
came to clear sailing at once. Miss Grove had some 
fault to find, and Jane’s cooking appeared now 1x) e jer 
ideal. 

“I must say, Adelaide, I do not observe any wonder- 
ful difference, except the variety in desserts ; ” and he 
glanced mischievously at his wife. “ And the house is 
quieter. It must be acknowledged that Jane was that 
bad thing in woman, — a scold. I, for one, do not 
feel inclined to regret her, or to have her memory 
embalmed in my household.” 

Mother Kinnard ventured to make herself again at 
home in the kitchen. Nelly managed that she should 
not annoy Mary, and often consulted her upon some 
point that rendered her quite happy. Very slow work it 
was ; but the young wife felt that she did gain a little in 
the esteem of the elder woman. A few times Mrs. Kin. 
nard had said “ Nelly” in speaking to her, which made 
her heart beat with unwonted emotion. Generally she 
evaded any name. 

And Chi istmas came presently ; for the last two months 
had gone very rapidly. It had never been made of much 
account in the doctor’s family, — a rather formal presen- 
tation of gifts in the morning, but with no genial holiday 
aspect after that. It fell on Monda^^ ; so Nellie resolved, 
if hei husband did not object, to spend three or four days 
at home, and keep the festival in the olden manner. 

“ I couldn’t go with you, could I?” said Bertie wist- 
fully. “ And there’s no school for a fortnight, either.” 

“ Would you like to go? There are nc little boys to 
play with;” and Nelly hesitated, thinking whether she 
wanted the bother on her holiday. 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM, 


159 


“ 1 wouldn’t mind. Couldn’t I ride down on my sled if 
I might take it, you know.” 

“ Herbert I ” exclaimed a sharp voice, as Aunt Adelaide 
passed through the hall : it was late twilight, though the 
lamps were not lighted, — “Herbert, I am ashamed of 
you! — Mrs. Kinnard, do not, I pray, fill the child's 
head with any such folly. Children’s visiting is a thing I 
should never allow, except at the home of a near relative, 
aid I think I have some rights with my sister’s children. 
I shall beg your father not to let you, even if he is weak 
enough to listen to such a preposterous idea.” 

Bertie began to whine. 

“ Never mind,” said his mamma softly. “ Let me teU 
you a Christmas story.” 

For once Aunt Adelaide took the start of them, and 
gained her point. The doctor coincided with her, that it 
would be quite absurd. Nelly said no more ; and yet, 
from her heart, she pitied any children condemned to 
such a dreary holiday. Once she had half a mind to 
stay at home. 

“ Nonsense ! ” said the doctor peremptorily. 

She went on Saturday, and had a lovely Christmas 
Sunday, — a preparation for the higher feast. How good 
it was to enjoy herself with the dear home-circle once 
more! Then, when they returned from the Christmas 
morning services, they found Dr. Kinnard ready to take 
dinner with them. 

“ But I must go back this evening,” he said. “ I have 
two quite critical cases on hand. However, it shall not 
spoil your holiday. You deserve a good long one, little 
woman, though Mary gave me private instructions to 
bring you home with me.” 

Nelly only smiled then ; but some curious presentiment 
decided her to return. They had the tree just at dusk ; 
and no one was more delighted with his remembrances 
than the doctor, who kissed his rosy sisters-in-law all 


160 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


round, and declared that they were enough to spoil an^ 
man. 

Nelly came down presently, warmly wrapped in hei 
furs. 

“ But you are not going I ” he cried in astonishment. 

Don’t you want me? ” she asked saucily. 

It is too bad I ” said Gertrude. “ Can’t you make 
her stay, doctor?” 

“ Why, yes, I could, because, you see, she has promised 
to obey me. But then she looks so pretty, all muffled up 
to the tip of the nose, that really — I cannot resist. I am 
afraid I do want to take her.” 

“I should go to-morrow anyhow,” said Nelly with a 
shower of kisses. “ And you are all to come and keep 
New Year’s with me, remember.” 

So they gave each other a fond good-by. Dr. Kinnard 
drew his wife tenderly under his wing ; and they walked 
briskly toward the station. 

“It was so generous of you to come!” he said once, 
as, making a slight misstep, he took occasion to draw her 
nearer. “You might have staid all the week, you know. 
I had promised not to grumble ; though I must admit that 
I am always a little jealous of the circle at the rectoiy.” 

“ And unjustly too,” she answered with a gay laugh. 

“ They are girls, to be sure. Well, when I have had 
you twenty years, I may begin to feel quite assured of your 
regard.” 

“Twenty years I” she exclaimed. “Why, think how 
iJIshallbel” 

“ Ard think how old I shall be I — hobbling round with 
R cane, no doubt; ” and there was a sound of humorous 
complaint in his tone. 

“We shall have had a glad, sweet summer, I trust,” 
she made answer. 

It seemed to him that he had just touched the bounda- 
ries of spring, mid-winter though it might be around. 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. Kl 

And so they journeyed on until the familiar station came 
in sight with Mat awaiting them. 

“ Mat,’’ said the doctor, “ I wish you would drive right 
over to the Ritchies’. They are a good deal alarmed 
about their little girl ; and I promised to drop in this 
evening. I feel anxious myself. Such a prett} little 
thing! — you never saw her, Nelly, — and their only 
child.” 

They flew like the wind. It was really exhilarating to 
Nelly. And now the moon was coming up, glinting 
every point of snow and ice with a thousand faiiy spar- 
kles. 

“I think the symptoms are more favorable,” said the 
doctor as he emerged from the Ritchies’. “ I changed 
the remedies this morning, and I do believe now that I 
shall raise her. Did you get chilly, waiting? ” 

“No,” returned Nelly. 

“ Why, Mat, you are in a hurry to-night,” was his next 
comment. “Are you longing for your snug corner, Ysdth 
no Jane to scold? — Nelly, that was a masterstroke of 
yours ; ” and the doctor laughed gayly. 

Mat made no reply until they reached the broad avenue. 
Then he loosed the reins, and, leaning over a little, said 
hesitatingly, — 

“There’s been an accident, doctor. Bertie had a fall, 
and broke his arm.” 

“ Bertie ! — broken his arm I When ? ” 

“ About three this afternoon. He was playing in the 
barn. He was pretty bad at first ” — 

“Is it set? What did you do?” and Dr. Kinnard 
sprang out of the sleigh. 

“ I went for Dr. Searles straight off ; and he set it. 
But he kept fainting so often.” 

“ Oh ! ” and Nelly uttered a little cry, “ I am so glad 
I came with you ! ” 

They entered the hall. The office-door was wide open 

14 * 


162 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


Bertie lay on the couch, with Maud and Aunt Adelaide foi 
attendants. The doctor marched over, and took his little 
son’s limp hand. 

“Bad business, Bertie,” he said, but in a rather cheery 
tone. “ Does it hurt much ? ’ ’ 

“ Has mamma come? Did you bring her? ” 

“ Bad business indeed ! ” exclaimed Miss Grove, rising 
iirectly in Nell^^s way. “Yet I must say, Barton, the 
child is justly punished. I hope it will be a lesson to him 
in the futm-e. A more disobedient child I never saw. 
He has been completely ruined by foolish indulgence. 
He is no more the bo}^ he was a year ago than a noxious 
weed is like a trained garden-plant. I look upon this as 
a direct interposition of Providence to call you all to your 
senses.” 

“What is all this about?” asked the doctor sharply, 
turning to his sister-in-law. “ Can any one give me a 
coherent account? ” 

“ I am trying to, if you will only have a little patience. 
How different you have grown of late I ” and she cast an 
indignant glance upon him. “This morning Herbert 
was very impertinent ; and I told him that he should keep 
his room the whole afternoon. I am soiTy I did not lock 
the door ; for he has come to have no sense of honor what- 
ever. I went down stairs for a few moments ; and, coward 
that he was, he took that opportunity to escape. So I say 
he deserved severe enough punishment to make him re- 
member it one while. You had better take him up to bed 
now.” 

“No, don’t!” almost screamed Bertie. “I want tf 
stay just here. It hurts me to stir. — Mamma, keep me 
here ; ” and he stretched out his well arm imploringl3\ 

“You see the display of temper;” and Miss Grove 
rafsed her head majestically. ‘ ‘ Barton, do you mean 
that the child shall be ruined, body and soul? He always 
did need a strong hand. I’m sure I do not see where he 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


163 


inherited his temper, not from our side. Maud is like 
her own dear mother. I never have any trouble with her 
And Bertie was quite manageable until ” — 

“ That will do, Adelaide. I have yet to leam where 
and how the child fell, and how much he is injured. 
There, hush, Bertie;” for he had begun an hysterical 
crying. 

“ Why, he ran out to the bam to hide himself, and fell 
from some of the rafters, and broke his arm,” said Miss 
Grove with spiteful impatience, which she called just 
mdignation. “ Dr. Searles said it was a simple fracture, 
and, with care, would be well in a month. As if no one 
had ever broken a bone before ! ” 

“ Are you hurt in any other place, Bertie? ” his father 
asked in a calm, tranquillizing tone. 

“ I am hurt all over. Oh, don’t touch me, papa ! ” and 
he shrunk away. 

“You and Maud maybe dismissed,” the doctor said 
briefly to his sister-in-law. “ I want to make a slight 
examination ; and I think he had better stay here for this 
night.” 

“ It surprises me to see you indulge that child so 
rainously. If his poor mother had lived ” — 

“ That will do.” 

“Very well. I wash my hands of the whole matter. I 
would have devoted my life to my ‘ poor dead sister’s ’ 
children ; but, if you will interfere, take the risk yourself. 
If the child grows up a trouble to you and everybody else, 
remember that I warned you. — Come, Maud.” 

The doctor dropped into a chair. How many sucn 
scenes of angry persistence he had gone through in the 
past was known only to himself and God. Nothing can 
oe more wearing and wearisome than people who are 
always in the right, and always ready to dispute to the 
last straw. 

Nelly, meanwhile, had been taking off her hat, and 


164 


NELLY KINNAED'S KINGDOM. 


warm fur sack. Now she knelt by Bertie’s couch. Suf- 
fering appealed to her strongly ; and she knew by the 
sunken eyes, the pinched and tense lines, and ashen 
pallor, that the pain had not all proceeded from a child’s 
irrational terror. She kissed the hand that lay there so 
limp and white. 

‘<0 mamma! don’t go away and leave me! I like 
you better than any one else in the wide world, only Tom 
Lester at school. But you don’t care for that, do you ? 
He has such a splendid lot of things, and a real workshop ; 
and his father is going to give him a pony next summer. 
He promised me a ride on it. But I’d rather live with 
you, if Aunt Adelaide wasn’t here. Oh ! ” — 

A sudden spasm seemed to shake the child. His eyes 
rolled wildly ; and his lips were thin and blue. Nelly 
chafed the cold palm, and watched the face that had been 
so rosy an hour or two ago. Bertie drew a long, shudder- 
ing breath, and lay very quiet. 

“It is something more than a broken arm,” she said 
in a tremulous tone. 

Dr. Kinnard started, came to the couch, and bent over 
his boy, over Nelly kneeling there, as he had never 
seen any woman kneeling in his house beside a child. 
Some peculiar emotion touched him deeply, a vision of 
motherhood glorified with her tenderness, — a lovely 
mother and a lovely chUd. He had seen it ; but it had 
never been his. 

“Bertie, my child, where was the pain?” But Bertie 
only moaned ; and his father felt quite helpless. 

“Nelly, you are making me chicken-hearted,” he said 
with a little tremble in his tone. “I think I had better 
send you away as well.” 

“ The child ought to be undressed. Will you keep 
him down here all night?” 

“ Bertie,” and his father’s hand was laid on his shoul- 
der, tenderly now as any woman’s, “ my son, you must 


NELLY KINNARD’s KINGDOM. 165 

be a brave little fellow, and let me see if you are injured 
elsewhere than in the arm. — Yes, if you could get hia 
wrapper, Nelly.” 

Nelly ran up stairs; and Miss Grove handed it out 
with a severely indignant sniff. Then she brought down 
one of her own pretty cologne-bottles that Bertie admired 
30 much. Dr. Kinnard had been coaxing him gently, am} 
now lifted up his shoulder ; but, uttering an excruciating 
ciy, the child fainted quite away. 

“ Quick, Nelly, take off his clothes. There is some- 
thing very serious, I fear,” 

With deft and rapid fingers, she disrobed him, and, 
with the doctor’s assistance, put on the wrapper. Con- 
sciousness being restored, he began a brief examination. 
There was an internal injury ; but whether it was merely 
the jar of the fall, or something more critical, could not 
as yet be told. 

Bertie cried, and shrank from the handling, gentle as it 
was ; but Nelly’s sweet voice comforted and re-assured 
with a bravery not above the child’s comprehension. 
She kissed him, too, with a soothing tenderness that 
quite magnetized him. 

“ I think I will go out, and question Mat a moment. 
You seem to be doing very well with him.” 

But Mat could throw no further light upon the subject, 
Bertie had climbed to the loft, and must have made a mis- 
step, as there was no fioor laid there. Mat had found 
him lying on his side, insensible, brought him into the 
house, and gone immediately for Dr. Searles, who thought 
there was no damage done beside the fractured ann and 
a few bruises. He had not complained much until 
within an hour, though he had refused utterly to be taken 
up stairs. 

“ I must wait a day or two before I decide,” the doctoi 
said as he returned to Nelly, who was holding the child’s 
hand. “And now, my dear girl, had you not better 


166 


NELLY KINNAKD’S KINGDOM. 


make some preparation for retiring? It is nearly eleven 
I shall roll the other lounge in here, though I do not 
think I will have to watch absolutely/' 

“ Oh, let me stay with you ! " she pleaded. 

“ There is no need ; and I would rather have you get a 
good night's sleep." 

“ I am so glad I came I " 

“Why, you must have had a presentiment. Thank 
heaven you are here I " he said fervently, kissing the 
bright cheek. 

But Bertie would not so easily relinquish his hold. 
Scarlet flushes were succeeding the deadly pallor ; and he 
moved his head uneasily, crying out now and then with 
pain, and insisting on Nelly's keeping close beside him. 
“Don’t let her take me awayl” he would exclaim 
vehemently. 

“ I had better stay for a while," she said in a quiet 
tone. Then she hushed him, singing some childish hymn 
in her low soothing voice. The fever was coming on 
rapidly, and with it delirium. Dr. Kinnard sat grave 
and thoughtful. He had never seen his own children 
seriously ill. To a man of his theorizing and speculative 
turn of mind, Nelly presented an entertaining study as 
she lingered there in the dim light, watching the child, a 
bit of faded flower in her dark hair, that Gertrude had 
placed in it before dinner, the ruS’ of soft, wraith-like 
illusion around her shapely neck, the fair and slender 
hands, untiring it seemed to him. How different women 
were ! He had seen many mothers, — fond, tender, induh 
gent ; wise and foolish -mothers, careless and indilferenl 
ones, and others who seemed to take their children as a 
special grievance. He remembered well one who had 
done so. From their birth, they had been banished to the 
nursery. He generally found them erjung or asleep in his 
brief visits. And he had never been, made very welcome 
there. She could not endure to have him bestow any 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


16 : 


attention on the children ; indeed, she took every courtesj’ 
proffered to any one else as a personal affront. Yet 
people outside had often found her very charming. 

Ti’ue, he might have grown fond of them afterward ; 
bat — well, he had not cared. It brought a flush to his 
cheek as he remembered it. Aunt Adelaide was peculiar 
too. Authority was the one thing she did not desire to 
share. She had her own ideas, her own plans, her own 
ways, matured, she fancied, after much thought and ex- 
perience. But how much of the vaunted experience of this 
life is simply a determination to carry out one’s will, to 
have one’s own way, and bend others to it I And so she 
wanted people to be good and happy after her set plan. 
No bed of Procrustes was ever more rigid. She lopped 
off mercilessly. She compressed, flattened, stretched 
out, when there was really nothing to stretch. With 
Maud she had succeeded very well. The child was 
ladylike and high bred, as she considered high breeding. 
She knew more than most girls of her age : she had no 
foolish passion for dolls, or fairy-stories, or rude boisterous 
plays. Already she was a miniature woman, could de- 
tect imitation laces from real, and was quite a judge of 
silks and velvets, and very free to criticise the attire of 
any one in which there was any make-believe. But what 
of the poor starved little soul that never even knew the 
divine hungering for love ? 

Di . Kinnard had not been blind to all this, it was 
true. Still he had a great respect for Aunt Adelaide’s 
love. He had seen the working of stepmothers in 
more than one family ; and his mind had in it the breadth 
of patience that can respect another’s prejudices. He 
would not huiTy her faith in Nelly’s capacities ; neither 
would he burthen Nelly with so much in the beginning. 
There was a little selfishness in that. He wanted her 
time, her attention, and sweetness for the present. No 
one had ever ministered to him in this delightful fashion 


168 


NELLY KINNAKD’S KINGDOM, 


Ah, Nelly ! you never guessed how miser like he treasured 
up every smile, every caress, and called himself an old 
idiot for so doing. 

But, as he watched her there, he did not grudge the 
kisses. Something seemed awakening within him, tardi- 
ly, as if after a long sleep. Had he ever felt the rapture 
over his children that he had seen men indulge in ? And 
why? He would suffer physical pain for them, hunger, 
cold, labor, if need were. He would gladly take Bertie’s 
place, and endure courageously the few weeks’ suffering : 
why not that deep, exquisite emotion, that thrill of 
fatherhood? And NeUy there was playing at imaginary 
motherhood. He could see the soft flushes rise in her 
face, the struggle of girlish bashfulness, the fear of taking 
too much of another woman’s child. If her own were 
in her arms, — her own as entrancingly lovely as that 
cherub of Mrs. Duncan’s. 

He rose to give Bertie some fever-drops. “ Don’t take 
me away I ” the child screamed, clinging to her: so she 
held the spoon, and persuaded him. 

Somewhere toward morning the stupor gained ground ; 
and though Bertie moaned, and cried out occasionally, he 
could no longer distinguish between them. 

“Now you must go to bed, Nelly,” the doctor said, 
taking her in his arms, and kissing the tired face fondly. 
“ There will be nursing enough after to-night ; for I am 
afraid the poor little chap is not to get off so easily. If 
he is very restless, I promise to call you. Can you not 
trust him to me ? ” 

Something in his voice caused her to glance up. Was 
there a new tenderness in his shady eyes? He flushed at 
her unspoken question. 

“Yes,” he said, “I may have been too well satisfied 
to have them crowded out. How did your heart fill with 
this tender, bounteous love, my darling? You shower it 
broadcast, as if there never could be any lack.” 


NELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM. 


m 


“There cannot be, since it is of God, who giveth 
liberally.’’ 

They stood in silence for many minutes, then she 
kissed him good-night softly, and went away. 

Like a dim dream, some sentence heard in an idle houi 
floated back to him, — “ A new creature in Christ Jesus.” 
What was this abounding faith of Nel'y’s? 


CHAPTER XIV. 


“ Life counts not hours by joys or pangs, 

But just by duties done/^ 

D*. Kixxard’s words proved too sadly true. There 
was nursing enough in store for Nelly. By the next 
morning the fever had gained rapid headway. Dr. 
Searles came over, and found there had been not a little 
congestion from the force of the fall. That there was 
something besides, was painfully evident. Even at the 
height of delirium and apparent unconsciousness, he 
would scream if moved from certain positions. 

The “den’’ was speedily tuimed into a sick-room. It 
made less going up and down stairs, and was a very 
quiet place at this season of the year ; there being fewer 
oflSce-callers for pleasure. Nelly had the kitchen at her 
command, and chance visitors also ; and the doctor found 
H, more convenient than an upstairs room. 

Thus passed a fortnight in anxious suspense. Aunt 
Adelaide affected to disbelieve in the danger, and felt still 
more offended when piano practice was interdicted. 
Under other circumstances, no doubt but that she wouhi 
have compelled the house to bow down to the illness of 
one of my “ poor sister’s children ; ” but now her injured 
dignity was paramount. 

Mother Kinnard was quite frightened. Deaths and 
funerals filled her with nerv^ous apprehension and dread. 
Something in Nelly’s devotion touched her ; and, in her 
secret heart, she admitted the child’s own mother would 
not so have spent herself. 

170 


KELLY KIKNAED’s KINGDOM. 171 

“Why should she not?’’ said Aunt Adelaide tartly 
“ Before she came in the house, Herbert never thought o' 
disobeying me. It was the result of her foolish indul- 
gence ; and she ought to suffer for it.” 

“Stepmothers haven’t the name of being indulgent 
usually,” returned Mi’s. Kinnard rather dryly. 

“ Any one can see that it is done for effect. When 
she comes to have children, ‘my dear Bertie’ will be 
pushed aside quickly enough,” was the scornful re- 
joinder. 

“ Barton,” she said one morning, stopping her brother- 
in-law in the hall, “ there is one subject on which I want 
to speak. If Herbert should die, I believe you are his 
natural heir ; but I think his portion ought to go to 
Maud. It was my ‘ poor dear sistei’s ’ money.” 

“Hang the money ! ” he flung out angrily. “ Do you 
suppose I would touch a penn}^ of it if I was starving ? 
I wish there had never been a dollar I Never mention 
it to me again.” 

But Bertie did not die. He seemed to go to the very 
verge of the grave. There was one night when his father 
sat by him, administering stimulants, and counting the 
faint pulsation. His child ! How strange it seemed ! 

He inherited his father’s constitution ; and the freedom 
of the year, with active exercise, had strengthened it 
greatly, for it had been somewhat injured by an injudi- 
cious childhood. So he came feebly back to life, lay wan 
and white for many days, dependent as a baby on Nelly’s 
motlierly care. She fed him, she loathed the shrunken 
limbs, read to him, or sang, watching every change in 
the pale face, so little now, so spiritualized, until she 
began to think him absolutely pretty : at least, he had 
his father’s fine eyes, all the more noticeable now that the 
stupid look had gone out of them. There came into 
Nelly’s heart an earnest sympathy, a tender love, a desire 
to fill a mother’s place truly, and train the neglected 


172 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


heart to better uses than the repressed and chilling years 
had known. 

And the worst had not yet been confessed. For a while 
Dr. Kinnard had feared it ; and, talcing Dr. Searles into 
counsel, they had made a painful examination to find 
that the joint of the hip had been injured by striking hard 
npon it. 

‘‘ And my poor boy will be lame for life ! ** he ex- 
claimed with passionate regret. “ O Bertie I if you had 
not been — and then he checked himself. 

That evening he confessed to Nelly the certainty. 

“Oh! are you sure? Can nothing be done? Lame 
for life!*' 

Dr. Kinnard walked up and down the office with his 
hands clasped behind him, his brain in a chaos of unrea- 
son. Why should this be sent upon him? All his life, 
so far, there had been something, — a thorn in the fiesh to 
wound him. 

Nelly slipped one hand within his, and leaned her head 
upon his shoulder. 

“Barton,** she said softly, “it is very, very hard for 
you to bear, I know. And yet there is some wfisdom 
in it that will be shown us after a while. I think you 
have begun to love him better ; and this very love wUl 
bring with it a grace.** 

He took the fair face in both hands, kissed brow and 
lips, and she saw there were tears in his eyes. 

“Let me comfort you,** she cried. ‘Perhaps God 
gave me to you for this purpose. For the next few years 
he will sorely need a mothers aflEection and patience; 
and so I have found my work, m}^ duty.** 

“ And you welcome it? O Nelly ! you have reached a 
height quite beyond me. I can only see the wearisome, 
disappointing present. Bertie was not a dull scholar; 
Mr. Herrick said so. I thought to take a pride in him as 
he grew older, — to send him to college, to give him a 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


178 


profession, or establish him in business, to make a man 
of him ; and Heaven knows there is sore enough need of 
true, strong men in this world. How can I endure ” — 

“It may not be so bad. Bertie is a child yet; and 
there is a hope of his outgrowing it.” 

“ Hardly, if this should be a confirmed case of hip- 
disease. And, Nelly, it is weak, wicked perhaps; but 1 
have a shrinking from all kinds of deformity and lame- 
ness. I pity any one profoundly; but I am always 
thankful that it is not mine. And now it has come to 
me. If I had listened, and let you take him home ” — 

Nelly had thought of it many times. It had been on 
her lips that first evening ; but it seemed too much of a 
reproach to utter. 

“You shall not blame yourself,” she cried. “ I am 
not quite sure that I wanted to take him. And we must 
not hurry God’s meanings, or distrust them, but feel that 
there is something in this for us to study or work out for 
a new satisfaction. It is the part for to-day that concerns 
us : next year will bring its own strength. We have to 
lo with Bertie’s childhood now ; and the man he will 
make will be such as pleases God, I hope.” 

“ My darling ! ” 

“ Perhaps it will not be so bad. Is there no more 
experienced authority to consult? ” 

“I think I will go to the city. If any thing can be 
done I ” 

“ Poor child, poor baby I for he seems that now, with 
his wan little face. What suflTering it would be, and yet 
much better, I suppose, than ” — 

“Oh 1 I can’t have him lame, and to go limping about 
all his life I Yes, I must go to New York. There are 
two physicians in whom I place great confidence. K an 
operation is possible, it shall be attended to without 
delay.” 

Nelly shivered. 

15 * 


174 


NELLY KINNARD’s KINGDOM. 


“Little tender heart! Ah, at least 1 did one good 
thing, even in my own selfishness. I have given him a 
mother such as ” — 

Nelly placed her soft fingers over her husband^s lips. 
She knew the rest of the sentence would have been, “ such 
as he never had.*’ But, in her sweet and bounteous 
naVare, there was no such thing as grudging another any 
due or praise, or gaining herself by that other’s dispar- 
agement. And, somehow, she felt tender and pitiful to 
the woman in her grave, knowing now how she had 
missed establishing herself in her husband’s heart; ever 
plucking fruit that turned to ashes, and hewing out broken 
cisterns, when the bread and wine of love’s own sacrament 
was within her reach. 

“ You are right,” he said humbly, 

A week afterward he went to the city, and returnee 
with one of his old preceptors, now an eminent and expe- 
rienced physician. If he had ever such a lingering hope 
of a mistake in his own diagnosis, it was dispelled 
There was an exceeding faint chance of the child’s out* 
growing it, with a trifiing lameness. There was a latei 
operation, when he had more strength and maturity ; but 
the disease would also have gained greater headway. 
There was the present operation with all its risk. 

“ The most important thing will be the care afterward, 
i should advise his being sent to a hospital, like St. 
Luke’s for instance. Then he would have experienced 
nursing,” said Dr. Francis. 

This opinion was imparted to Nelly. 

“ Could you not be as watchful of the case as the best 
nurse there? ” she asked of her husband. 

“ Of course. But there are a hundred and one little 
things ; and it will be a very hea\y tax on you.” 

“ KI were the child’s own mother, I hardly know how 
1 should decide ; but I think then, I should keep him, 
and try my best. As the case stands, I ask you as a 


NELLY KINNARD’s KINGDOM. 


175 


favor not to send him away. He will be nearer to us 
both, if we go with him every step of the sad way. If 
you have confidence in me ’’ — 

“ I would trust my own life in your hands,” was his 
vehement answer. “ Confidence ! ” 

“ Then let us keep him. I should be sorry to have the 
world, or Aunt Adelaide,” and she smiled with tears in 
her eyes, “think that I was glad to escape the solemn 
duties I took upon myself. And, if any thing should go 
wrong, we will not look back upon our decision regi’et- 
fully.” 

“ How generous you are, Nelly I ” and he studied her 
in amaze. “Honestly, I would rather keep him under 
my own eye ; but it is a great deal to ask of one young 
as you are. It may be a year or two ; and here is youi 
own life ” — 

“ I am young enough surely to give away a little of it 
Shall I not have you and your love to comfort and sus- 
tain? ” 

“ God bless you, my darling ! ” 

There was coming into his soul a solemn reverence for 
womanhood. True, he had seen it under many phases ; 
but it is one thing to look at a flower in your neighbor’s 
garden, without knowing all the particulars of soil and 
culture, and quite another to have it under your very eye, 
growing thriftily through shine and shade, dispensing 
fragiance and beauty day by day in the most bounteous 
manner. Nothing under his hand had ever so bloomed be- 
fore. He had believed that nearness dispe 'led the charm ; 
that daily using brushed off the pink of peach, and puiple 
of gi’ape ; that household virtues throve oftener in books 
than in daily life. Nelly’s strength and sweetness touched 
him with a dim amaze; and he hardly dared place full 
faith in it, lest it should vanish. 

For herself, she had become quite strongly attached to 
Bertie. She could see how much his training had injured 


1T6 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


him. With a sort of moral cowardice he united great 
persistency ; so that, when he had once told what was not 
true, he was very apt to keep to the stoi}^, and impress it 
upon his hearers. His sense of injustice was very keen i 
ar d the system of depriving him of every possible pleasure, 
of being always on the lookout for faults and naughti^ 
ness, of showing that he never, for a moment, was 
trusted, had worked much evil in the child's nature. 
There was another point in which Aunt Adelaide did con- 
stant battle. Bertie had a vein of humor and drollery that 
his aunt could not understand. She never made jokes, 
and never saw the point of them ; and repartee, she con- 
sidered, for the most part, ill bred. All this she called 
impertinence, and punished it severely ; until the child, 
between ignorance and fear, had come to have a sort of 
half-stupid hesitation. 

It was such a strange, new thing for him to be caressed, 
that at first he took it with a wondering, half-funny 
complacency. Miss Grove thought all such matters 
simply foolish, and declared that she always mistrusted 
people who were eager to make such a parade, besides the 
fact of its being under-bred. Her idea of manliness 
seemed to be stoicism. Unemotional herself, and living 
according to a code of formal rules that she had gathered 
from her very small world, she fancied, like many narrow- 
minded people, that it was adapted to age and infancy 
alike, to any kind of circumstances and position. Maud 
had never troubled her by any excess of feeling ; but she 
had been fighting the tendency in Bertie ever since his 
birth. It was her pride that the children had never been 
ill, and that they knew more than any children of their 
age. So that they beha^"ed properly, what more was 
needed ? 

Nelly had touched the leadened chords of the child's 
soul. It was so nice to oe made much of; to have his 
face and hands bathed sometimes with cologne at that ; 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


177 


to have his hair brushed, and Nelly had trained quite a 
curly crop around his white temples ; to have dainty little 
meals served in the sick-room, just for mamma and him 
self ; to be shown pictures ; to be read stories ; to talk ir 
that changeful, discursive style so natural to children, 
without having to go over a sentence, and pick out all its 
needless words. 

Not that the child had been transformed into an angeL 
He was fretful and impatient at times, and had restless 
moods, when nothing seemed to suit. Once, when he 
was much better, he proved exceedingly troublesome in 
this respect; and Nelly, finding herself tired, and with 
a tendency to speak sharply, bethought herself a moment. 

“ Bertie,’* she said in a quiet tone, “ I believe you are 
tired of me ; for what I do fails to please you. Now I am 
going out of the room for half an hour : look at the clock. 
Tou will be much better alone : so good-by for a little 
while.” And she went away with a cheerful smile, shutting 
the door softly behind her. 

Bertie thought he did not care. He was pillowed in a 
corner of the wide lounge ; and for several moments he 
studied the fire in the grate, then his book of engrav- 
ings, after that the solitaire-board ; and, to his amaze, 
only fifteen minutes were gone. The clock ticked so 
solemnly, the cat would sleep on the rug ; and there was 
absolutely nothing more to do. But then mamma would 
come in ten minutes. Oh, how long they were I He 
tried to count the seconds, and was quite sure there were 
more than sixty. 

Through it all ran an undercurrent of conscience. 
There was no purely physical punishment or deprivation, 
but something that stirred his deeper feelings. 

The door opened presently. “ Do you want me now, 
Bertie? ” asked the soft voice. 

“ I do, mamma, please.” 

She entered with some sewing, anr drew her chair clos€ 


178 


NELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM, 


beside the lounge, saying cheerfully, “ What shall we 
talk about, Bertie? You must have thought of a great 
many things.’’ 

“ No : never mind about talking, mamma. I want to 
lie here and look at you a little while.” Then, after a 
silence, “ How pretty you are, mamma ! ” 

She blushed, and gave a little embarrassed laagh. 

“ And you are very good to me, mamma. I thought 
— at least, people say” (hesitatingly) — “that step- 
mothers never are good.” 

“ What do you think of it, Bertie? ” and she raised hei 
grave, sweet eyes. 

“It isn’t true. I’ll fight any boy at school who ever 
says it again; and I’ll” — But what could he do to 
Aunt Adelaide ? 

“No, my child: you can do better than that, — love 
me ; love papa, and obey him.” 

“ I used to feel so afraid of papa,” he went on in a 
half-musing tone. “ And I am not afraid any more. His 
arms are so strong when he lifts me. And he does care 
about me, doesn’t he? They all said that he wouldn’t 
love Maud and me any after you came.” 

“ Which was not true, as you have found out by this 
time,” was her quiet comment. 

“ Yes. Do you believe he would buy me a pony? And 
will I ever get well? I asked him this morning.” 

“What did he say?” demanded Nelly with sudden 
earnestness. 

“ That he hoped so. But why does my back keep so 
weak and stiff? ” 

He was to know ere long. They had decided upon 
the operation, as his general health was quite restored. 
However, nothing was said to him about it until the last 
morning. Ether was to be given. Dr. Francis and Dr. 
Searles came ; and Nelly kissed her boy with a face that 
was braver than her heart 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


179 


“ It’s dreadful ! ” said Mother Kinnard, who had soft- 
ened unconsciously to Nelly ; “ and I am afraid it will 
not do a bit of good. I doubt if the child lives, anyhow. 
If he could only have minded his aunt I Children were not 
so disobedient in my day. I don’t believe Adelaide will 
ever get over it. No, do not go away : I am too nervous 
to stay alone. I feel as if we should hear, every moment, 
that he had died under the operation.” 

It appeared to Nelly as if the inconsequent and unceas- 
ing chatter would kill her. How she endured it those 
two mortal hours, she never knew. Dr. Kinnard entered 
the room at last, very pale, and with lips that had not 
yet lost the force of their compression. 

“ It is through with, and was very successful,” he 
announced rather huskily. “Nelly, will you see to 
having a little luncheon? ” 

She went about it immediately, but did not question 
him any further. Dr. Francis afterwards gave her some 
hints and suggestions, ending with, “ He may be deli- 
cate for a year or two ; but I think he will recover 
entirely.” 

And now began another siege of nursing. They tried 
to take care of Nelly, on whom so much depended. Dr. 
Kinnard insisted on her taking frequent rides, and having 
cheerful society. Daisy came to stay with her ; and little 
Katy Berkman was found very useful. And thus Nelly 
Kinnard reached the first anniversary of her wedding- 
day, — a quiet but pleasant time with the home-folks, and 
Mr. Dudley, who was getting to be a gi’eat favorite with 
the doctor. . Aunt Adelaide condescended to be quite 
gracious ; and Mrs. Kinnard said afterward, — 

“ What a really delightful person your mother is, Nelly I 
I have a fancy, that, when she was young, she looked a 
great deal as you do now.” 

Nelly smiled at the commendation. 

“ My dear,” said Dr. Kinnard that night, “ I have had a 


180 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM, 


queer notion in my head all day, I believe I shall turn 
match-maker. I think Dudley is really taken tv ith your 
sister. And Tvhat a charming clergyman’s Tvife she would 
make ! Though he is not very rich in this world’s goods ; 
but then your father is, Tvithout doubt, the very happiest 
man I have ever known. So it is not riches.” 

“ I cannot have you mapping out Daisy’s life,” she 
said rather confusedly. 

“ But, since I have found a treasure, I am anxiouF to 
point out to my brethren the wonderful mine,” he 
returned laughingly. 


CHAPTER XV. 


“ The ordinary use of acquaintance is the sharing of talk, nows, 
4i-d mirth together ; but sorrow is the right of a frieiad, as a thing 
nearer the heart, and to be delivered with it.” — Bishop Seij>eh. 

There had been quite a commotion in the house with 
shopping and dressmakers, and plans for a summer tour. 
Aunt Adelaide and Maud were to go to Niagara and the 
Lakes and Canada, and wherever else their fancy led them, 
The large trunk was packed at last, and brought down to 
the hall, and beside it stood the smaller travelling-satchel 
for present emergencies. Maud was shooting up into a 
tall girl, and gave herself the airs of a young lady. He/ 
father disapproved of it ; but what could he do at present 
with Bertie still a burthen on their hands? In truth, 
Nelly was losing her bloom somewhat with this close 
attendance. 

They said their good-bys at length, and were off. 
Then Dr. Kinnard bethought himself of what must be 
done for the others. Bertie had gone on well for a while ; 
but it was evident that he, too, needed a change. 

“ I should try seaside,’* said Dr. Searles. “ And Mrs. 
Kinnard needs it also. The child’s limb is doing as 
well as can be expected ; but five or six months of this 
would pull down any little chap, or large one either, for 
that matter. He must get his strength up again.” 

To send them away ! To part with Nell}’ ! Why, she 
had become stay and comfort and pleasure to him. How 
had he ever done without her? How could he do with- 
out her now ? 


16 


181 


182 


NELLY KINNAllD’S KINQDOM. 


“Bertie, you are an unconscious rival,” he said U 
himself in a half-petulant mood. 

“ The whole house must be rendered subservient to 
that child I’’ complained Grandmother Kinnard. “1 
don’t see any sense in it.” 

“ But it is his health, and perhaps his life,” pleaded 
Nelly. “ There will be so many after-years with us.” 

“Will there?” and a quaint little pucker came into 
the doctor’s face. 

The neighbors came in, and said their say. Here and 
there was recommended and discussed. 

Mrs. Glyndon settled it. She had taken a wonderful 
liking to the doctor’s young wife from the first ; and she 
was one of those women with progressive, restless, gener- 
ous natures, who wanted to bring all the lights from under 
the bushels, and set them on hills. She had no children, 
plenty of money, plenty of time, servants, and a hus- 
band who was indulgent, though he laughed at her a 
good deal, and was much occupied with various inven- 
tions, always having some poor fellow in hand. And 
then every thing came right in Mrs. Glyndon’ s way. 
There are some people fairly inundated by streams of 
good fortune, while others are left dry and barren. 

An intimate friend said to her, — 

“Wc are going to Europe this summer. Do you not 
want to take our cottage at Severn Point? There is a 
garden and stable, and plenty of room everywhere ; and 
the house is well furnished. It is just a step to the 
beach, with excellent bathing and fishing.” 

She had been to the mountains and the springs, and 
was just wondering what there was to amuse her this 
summer. 

A week after she had taken her cottage, while she was 
considering what guests or friends she would ask, she 
met Dr. Kinnard driving rather soberly through the town, 
and stopped him. How was the boy progressing ? Would 
he ever get well ? And how was Mrs. Kinnard ? 


nelly kinnabd's kingdom. 


183 


How fortunate I ” when the doctor had mentioned tlie 
seaside plan. “ You are just the people I was in search 
of I I shall drive straight out to the house, and when you 
come home to dinner it will be all settled. There, don’t 
ask a question, but go industriously about your busi- 
ness.” 

She entered the house in her usual breezy fashion, hav- 
ing sent her horse down to the bam; and by dinner- 
time the plan was well digested. They should go to 
Severn Point with her. It was on the Sound, and easy 
of access by rail. They would keep house together, 
she taking two servants ; and if Miss Endicott would go 
— it was so pleasant to have a young girl in the family 1 
They would each take a horse and carriage. 

Dr. Kinnard could pick no flaws for once. He could 
ran down now and then, and spend a day or two, or 
Sunda}^ ; and Mr. Glyndon would be dropping in occa- 
sionally. Providence seemed to have thrown it right in 
their way. 

“ I shall like it so much better than either hotel or 
ooarding-house I ” said Nelly. And Bertie was quite 
elated with the idea of something diflerent from the place 
where he had passed so much of his life. Mother Kin- 
nard was equally delighted with the opportunity of man- 
aging the house, and taking care of her son. 

“Is it anything of a fashionable resort?” Nelly had 
A'sked. 

“ I really can’t say, my dear. I was there flve years 
ago, when the Randolphs first bought their place. It 
was not very remarkable then, as to style ; but I have 
heard, now and then, of its improvements. There is a 
ratner rocky point stretching out into the sound, and 
then a delightful strip of beach, without the usual glare 
and sterility of seasides ; for right back of the point are 
some pretty farms, and a range of hills, which makei 
very entertaining driving. You cannot fail to like it.” 


184 


NELLY KINNABD'S KINGDOM, 


So the second party made ready. Dr. Kinnard torA 
them down ; and Mrs. Glyndon was there beforehand, to 
welcome them. Bertie was tired with his journey, and 
fretful ; and Nelly was looking quite worn. They were 
so glad to add Daisy Endicott’s cheerful good-nature as 
a kind of mental balance I 

But there was the broad Sound, with the monotone of 
the sea, and the bracing, salty, suggestive flavor, the 
lipples and swells crested with spray. The house stood 
on a little elevation ; and you had the hills at the back ; 
farms, and gardens, and waving trees westward ; to the 
south, the long, level beach with cottages and hotels ; to 
the east, the rocky point, that spread itself out to twi- 
light purple in the distance; and in front of them the 
miniature ocean, dotted with vessels of various kinds. 
Besides the railroad accommodation, there was a steam- 
boat landing ; and, indeed, it seemed quite a thriving 
watering-place. 

“I hope it wOl give you all some color,’ ' said the 
doctor. “ I do think you ought to have some one to help 
with Bertie. Daisy, will you promise to keep watch and 
ward, and send me word if she doesn’t improve in a 
week? Every day you must go out driving. And Bertie, 
my son, you must not depend so entirely upon mamma. 
I am afraid you are spoiling him, Nelly : you are over 
conscientious.” 

Nelly smUed a little. All along she had understood 
how much more than mere physical care was needed. 

They soon settled themselves in their new abode. It 
was indeed roomy ; a great hall through the middle, that 
reminded her of home. Two rooms on one side were to 
be devoted to her ; for, though Bertie could get about on 
a crutch, it was not deemed advisable to have him go up 
stairs. Opposite were reception and dining rooms, and 
large airy chambers above. Daisy took the one at the 
head of the stairs, so as to be within call. Mrs. Glyndon 


NELLY KINNAKD’s KINGDOM, 


18.5 


iiad brought a man and two maids ; so that there reailj 
was nothing for Nelly to add in that respect. 

Bertie was deliglited with the drive on the beach the 
next morning. Daisy took him out, while Nelly unpacked, 
and put her house in order. She admitted to herself that 
she did feel very languid. Six months of wear and 
anxiety told their story. Where was the blooming girl- 
face of a year ago ? 

Did she regret the service that had taken its roundness 
and color? No ; she was glad to give it, to win the child’s 
soul and the child’s love, to awaken the chilled pulses into 
new life, to give him back to his father in glad surprise 
as something different and richer than before. 

But she was thankful to have a little rest for a few 
days. There were so many objects of interest, that Daisy 
quite sufficed the invalid for the present. 

Mrs. Glyndon returned one afternoon, especially impor- 
tant, her face radiant with pleasure and success. 

“ My dear,” she began, “ do you mean to get rested 
np, and ever have that pretty peach-bloom again ? I want 
to see you bright and sparkling once more ; for we are 
going to have just the nicest summer imaginable. I am 
BO glad we came to Severn Point ! I declare, it has all 
come around like a novel ! ” 

“ WTiat has? ” asked Nelly smilingly. 

“ Well, events — and people,” with a little pause 
between. “ Why, I have found a whole settlement of 
old friejs'ls I When I was in New York last winter, I just 
happened upon a charming clique, — two or three artists, 
some literary people, and some — shall I say strong-minded 
women? Not of the ultra type, though one of them is 
studying medicine, I believe ; and another has a sort of 
j/iofessorship or higher teachership in a college at the 
moon, or among the planets. They are cultured and 
refined people, and up in all charming society ways. So, 
just as soon as you are in the humor, I want to give « 
16 * 


186 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


little tea, — rather Frenchy and enjoyable, with the besrt 
of it in talk. I hate crowds where people do nothing 
but stuff themselves.** 

“ You need not wait on my account,** returned Nelly, 
“ I think I shall not care very much for society.** 

“Nonsense! at one and twenty too. You need a 
goo»d mental shaking up and rousing. I should think 
you would have grown rusty and dull ; though, with that 
stifl Aunt Adelaide, and old Mrs. Kinnard, to say noth- 
ing of troublesome Bertie — No, don*t hold up your hand 
in that threatening fashion : it is a pretty white hand, 
and I noticed it long ago. You do not know that Dr. 
Kinnard gave you over into my power, and begged me to 
keep you from getting dull. You must lay in a stock of 
roses and ideas for next winter. Perhaps Miss Grove 
wUl fall and break her back, (who knows ?) and you may 
see a good opening to heap coals of fire upon her head, 
though be careful of her hair. It is growing rather thin, 
I noticed.** 

Nelly laughed outright then, amused at her friend* s 
manner. 

“ There, that is something like it. I am invited over 
to the hotel to-morrow to dinner. If you did not mind, I 
should like to take Daisy, she is so sweet and fresh, 
though she d9esn*t compare with you in looks. And 
then, as I said, I shall give a little entertainment here.** 

Daisy was pleased with her invitation ; and Nelly set 
about making her as pretty as possible. At half-past 
seven they set out, and then it was Bertie* s bed-time. 
He said his prayers reverentially, and kissed her many 
times. 

“ Won*t you stay with me a little while,’* he asked, 
“ since they are all gone out? ** and so she sat by he cot, 
and talked until he fell fast asleep. 

It was midnight when the revellers returned. Nelly had 
been lying on the sofa in a ^'Tapper. She experienced an 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


187 


odd, motherly feeling and interest in Daisy, as if she 
were a decade older, rather than three years. And, like 
a child, she came in to talk over her enjoyment. It had 
been just lovely. 

“And the hero of the evening danced with her: 1 
may as well tell you all her triumphs. There, now, not 
another word! — Mrs. Kinnard, you should have been in 
bed two hours ago.’’ 

So Daisy was warmly enlisted in the tea-party. ITiey 
made out a list the next morning, and wrote the invita- 
tions. Then, in the afternoon, they were to go to a beach 
picnic, and to-morrow out rowing, which would finish the 
week. 

“ And you’ll drive with me, mamma? ” says Bertie in 9 
glow of delight. 

“ Then you don’t love me best of all?” cries Daiw 
making a dainty little moue at him. 

“ I love you a great deal ; but I don’t quite think it ia 
oest of all. But then, you see, she is my mamma ; ” ana 
he looks up, much relieved at finding so good and respon- 
sible a reason. 

Down on the beach they go in the pony phaeton ; and 
Bertie is allowed to drive. Jenny is as gentle as a road- 
side cow. There are not a great many out, mostly elderly 
people and young children, for whom the picnic has no 
charms, or forbidden ones. 

Nelly sits there, and dreams. How long the time 
appears since she parted from her husband ! She has 
heard, and all is going on nicely ; but she misses him 
much more than she would like to admit. She has grown 
to love him very much, and he has come to depend on 
her for so many things. She wondered, a year ago, 
whether she could ever be useful to him, and, ah 1 now 
she is quite necessary. Oh ! 

It was all just like a fiash. A stylish turnout, contain- 
ing two very young men with a spirited horse, had borne 


188 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


d0wn upon them ; and Bertie, in the moment’s confUsion., 
had checked to the left, instead of the right. A hand had 
been interjiosed, and there they stood, quiet, out of possi- 
ble danger ; but her heart beat rapidly, and her face 
flushed with that lovely, peachy glow so admired by Mrs. 
Glyndon. 

“ I am very much indebted. Allow me to thank you 
most sincerely;” and she bent over a trifle to look at 
their preserver. “ It was unpardonably careless in me.” 

“ The carelessness was on the other side. Do not blame 
yourself in the slightest. I am happy to have been at 
your service, even in this trifle ; ” and he bowed. 

She bowed too, then glanced back, and found him doing 
the same thing, as often happens. 

“ How handsome he was, mammal “ as handsome as 
— as you are. What was the matter? ” 

“ Let me drive a little while. It was nothing much ; ” 
for she did not want to stamp the incident with any 
significance. 

A handsome man, Bertie had spoken truly. Tall, 
supple, and graceful, abounding in the tints that are not 
blonde, yet far from the other extreme ; bronze-brown as 
to hair and beard, though at present he wore only a 
mustache, which was silken-soft and fine ; a clear com- 
plexion just a trifle sunburnt ; a broad, dimpled chin : a 
straight, rather haught}^ nose ; and eyes of so dark a gray 
as to be nearly black. She wondered why she remem- 
bered him like a picture. It was not all gratitude ; for 
now she was not sure there had been any real danger. 

There was an early moon ; and the picnic party did not 
reach home until after ten. Some one had persuaded an 
old colored fiddler to come down after sunset ; and the 
meny party had wound up with dancing on the smooth, 
hard beach. 

“And Daisy is getting to be an absolute belle. She 
always begins so shjdy, and colors up in the most tempt* 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


189 


ing way ; and the men who are sick and tired of the last 
seven-years’ blossoms are drawn to her like so many 
bees. And she deals out ever such a little bit of sweet- 
ness : if she had practised half~a dozen seasons, she could 
not do better.” 

“ O Mrs. Glyndon I ” cried Daisy, in blushing dismay. 

“ You have the right of it, Daisy. — No, Mrs. Kinnard, 
there are to be no lectures in this house, but what I give 
myself. I am commander-in-chief in a direct line. — And, 
I>aisy, youth is the time when 3’’ou gather roses, and take 
pleasures, as you do sunshine. Don’t ever give out more 
than a bit of sweetness : they are not worth it, — the verj" 
best of them. Just think of them as of the picnic to-day : 
that was very nice indeed, and there let it end. Some- 
thing new will conie to-morrow, it always does. But a 
young girl should be able to sleep soundly upon it, and 
not la}^ any greater burthen on her pillow than rolls off 
in her first nap. Now run to bed.” 

Mrs. Gtyndon lingered a moment to quiet any fears 
Mrs. Kinnard might indulge in foolishly. 

“ Innocence is the very best protection the child can 
have,” she said earnestl}^ “ She thinlis she is not 
specially pretty, and that no one will be caring to fall in 
love with her : so she may as well go on thinking it, and 
have a delightful summer. To put her on her guard will 
give her an u~inleasant consciousness, and make her suy> 
picious of every thing that is said. Just let her alone.” 

Nelly thought of it a long while after she was in bed. 
She must be elder sister in turn, as Rose and Fanny had 
been to her. No, Dais^^ was not beautiful ; and yet how 
prctt}^ she had looked to-night with that sort of fire- 
fly ejms, and her red lips full of smiling 

cun es. But there were handsome and brilliant women 
here ; and it was not likely any crowd would fiutter about 
this meek little dove. If only D.aisy — but then Dais^ 
had good sense. She had not been much elated over Mr 


m 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


Dudley’s coining and going, and driving her to the 
village, or to see poor women, or a sunset here, or a bit 
of spring greenery and bloom there. No : she had taken 
it in that pleasant, friendly manner, enjoying, but not 
bothering her brains as to whether every word had a 
meaning. Yes, it was best so. Simple, sweet, and fresL, 
not made suspicious or worldly wise i if love came, wel- 
coming it ; and, if not, losing none of the fairer womanly 
graces. And yet she resolved to watch a little, that no 
enemy might creep in unawares. 

Then the rowing-party came off; and Mrs. Glyndon 
insisted upon their both resting up, and using plentiful 
lotions of cream and rose-glycerine to be in nice order 
for her evening. 

She had a “way” of doing things with a grace and 
newness that made you almost believe you had never 
seen any thing of the kind before. The shutters were 
all open, and the lights streamed about outside, while 
within came wafts of the sea, of the cool, twilight air, of 
the pungent, aromatic pines ; and inside she had massed 
great bunches of grass-heads, and wheat and oats, and 
quantities of sweet-clover, that she had been half the 
day hunting up. And in among these feather-grasses 
she had placed half a dozen scarlet poppies ; there some 
flaming lilies ; here a few cool-looking ferns and meadow- 
daisies ; and over there a great trail of old-fashioned 
TTOodbine, with its clusters of minute red trumpets, lined 
^’ith a soft, yellow-like gold. The sofas and chairs were 
palled out of corners, and looked sociable by themselves. 
There was a feeling of rest and refreshing. The com- 
pany dropped down into little clusters, gathered into 
knots, rambled through hall and dining-room ; for there 
was no formal table set. They laughed and talked, — 
sciences, politics, newspapers, new books, fashions, health, 
the attractions of Severn Point, of Newport, of Yosemite 
Valley, and Germany. Then the tea was brought in, and 


NELLY KXNNARD’S KINGDOM. 


191 


aiflUsed a fragrant flavor. The little tables were arrangcMl 
here and there. The gentlemen carried the tea after Mrs. 
Gl3mdon poured it; and some of the younger ladies 
handed plates of dainty sandwiches, creamy biscuit, 
Graham gems, cake and berries; and after this was 
eaten, and the dishes taken away, which a light-footed 
servant accomplished without much clatter, the cream 
was brought in. 

Early in the evening Mrs. Glyndon had brought one 
very noticeable gentleman to Mrs. Kinnard, and intro- 
duced him as Mr. Van Alstyne. They did more than 
bow : they shook hands cordially. 

“ I am verj^ glad to meet you, Mrs. Kinnard,** he said 
with a smile that was friendly and charming. 

“And I hope you did not consider me ungracious a 
few days ago, when you did me such a — kindness.** 

“ That is just what it was, and aZZ,** he returned 
pointedly. “ There was no danger ; only your horse 
might have started suddenly. And please do not 
imagine that I did any thing at all heroic. Indeed, upon 
looking at your horse afterward, I felt that it would not 
have been startled in a greater peril.** 

“Is that meant for a libel upon Jenny? She is the 
gentlest creature in the world, and veiy intelligent too.** 
“ If she had been fiery, there might have been danger. 
And who was that pale little boy? — your brother? ** 

She colored and laughed, with a dainty embarrassment. 
“ It is my son, or, at least. Dr. Kinnard* s son.** 

“ Oh ! ** and he, in turn, flushed. But just then Daisy 
came up, and held out her hand frankly. 

“ So this is your sister? ” he asked with a smile. “ I 
thought some one said, the other evening, she was an 
invalid?** 

“Mrs. Glyndon said she was not well, that was all. 
VTill you have some tea here, Mr. Van Alstyne, or wili 
you * * — and Daisy glanced ai’ound. 


192 


NELLY KmNABD S KINGDOM. 


*'• I should like to stay here, if Mrs. Kinnard doesn' 
object. This table is just large enough for two.** 

“ Then I will wait on you/’ said Daisy delightedly. 

They sat and chatted, and amused themselves by 
glancing around the room. Mr. Van Alstyne seemed 
to know everybody. That little near-sighted fellow over 
yonder was an artist who had made a name and fortune 
by having a picture put in chromo ; and that tall, fine- 
looking girl was Miss Wilson, the senator’s daughter, who 
had been publishing a wonderful book on entomology — 
studied under Agassiz ; and that little dot of a Miss 
Howe was going to be a physician; and so on, in an 
entertaining and good-humored manner; telling bright 
little things, but none that were sharp or bitter, and mak- 
ing her talk in a piquant manner. Then young Conover 
brought his cup of tea over, because Miss Keith had 
rejected him ; and Miss Keith came over to explain ; and 
somehow, presently, JVIrs. Kinnard’ s table became a centre 
of attraction. Miss Howe’s father had known Dr. Kin- 
nard. Wasn’t it his little boy that Dr. Francis operated 
on last winter, or spring? and how was he doing? Every- 
body wondered just a little how such a pretty and stylish 
woman could make up her mind to be stepmother to any 
one’s children. 

After the cream went out, Mr. Transome played, then 
some one sang, and some one else ; and Mrs. Gl^mdon 
begged Mrs. Kinnard to sing an old Scotch ballad she 
had heard hei playing a few days ago. She would so 
much rather not ; but everybody thought those old Scotch 
songs so wonderfully pathetic. 

Nelly Kinnard had just the voice for them; and her 
pronunciation was so quaint, that all the little elisions 
and contractions and hard words were extremely bewitch- 
ing. Then some one wondered if she did not know 
“ Roy’s Wife.” That was a rather saucy, coquettish 
thing ; but sing it she must. 


NELLY KXNNARD’s KINGDOM. 


193 


George Van Alstyne stood leaning lazily against the 
door-jamb, watching her. He was eight and twenty, 
very good-looking, very gentlemanly, educated, accom 
plished, travelled ; had run through one fortune, and was 
spending another, and had been blase so long, that a new 
sensation was a godsend to him ; but new women were 
generally bores. More than one society belle had tried 
her best, and failed to catch him ; more than one little 
modest wayside flower had given him her heart to tread 
on daintily as one crushes a butterfly. And now the 
women who knew him best had come to the conclusion 
that he was not a marrjdng man : so he had settled into a 
general favorite. They laughed at him, and made much 
of him, and really admired his superb laziness, since he 
was never rude, but always exquisitely well bred. 

Nelly sang, — 

“ But Roy’s age is three times mine ; 

I think his years they can’t be mony; 

And then, perhaps, his canty queen. 

Forgetting churl, will take her Johnny,” 

and gave it the happy audacity of a daring, and not 
despairing lover. 

It came into his mind then to speculate upon what Dr. 
Kinnard was like. Dr. Francis was quite an elderly 
man, and so was Mi’. Howe. K they were aU friends, 
and had been young together — what romantic folly could 
have induced this handsome girl to marry in that fashion, 
and devote herself to the pale little youngster? Yet he 
liked aflairs and people that were out of the every-day 
common groove. He was beginning to think a fortnight 
at Severn Point quite long enough : now he resolved to 
take another week of it, and study this new chapter in 
womankind. As she was married, there was no danger 
— to her ; and he never was in danger. 

Mrs. Glyndon's evening proved a perfect success, 
17 


194 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


Somebody wanted to know if she wouldn’t ask them te 
tea soon again. 

“I am going to have a dancing-party next, for the 
young people. I like to take in everybody. After that, 
I will consider.” 

“I am not going to wait for parties,” said Van Al- 
styne. “ Won’t you take pity on me, and let me drop in 
to-morrow? I get dreadfully bored, and want a change.” 

It was quite flattering to have him ask in that spoiled- 
child way. 

“ Of course j^ou can drop in. I will give you a card of 
admission for — let me see — a week. Then you will be 
tired of us. Gkx)d-night.” 


CHAPTER XVI. 


“ The love that I hae chosen 
Fll therewith be content: 

The saut sea shall be frozen 
Before that I repent.^* 

♦ 

George Van Alstyne came early the next afternoon. 
Some one had insisted upon taking Daisy out. Nelly 
knew now that this was Daisy’s handsome hero of her 
first evening’s entertainment; and she felt a little afraid 
of him where a young girl was concerned. Mrs. Glyn- 
ion was busy looking up dresses for tableaux : so she 
brought him into Mrs. Kinnard’s sitting-room. 

“You must take care of him for a little wMle,” she 
said. “ My business is of importance. But it is too 
bad to have you so heavily burthened. — Bertie, don’t you 
want to come with me for a change?” 

The child was pleased ; for he delighted in Mrs. Glyn- 
don’s chatter. Van, as by that name he knew himself 
best, dropped down into an easy-chair by the window, and 
loitered over a book of engra\dngs. They soon fell into 
an easy talk, — so easy, that Nelly took up some trifle of 
sewing. Ordinarily he hated to have a woman do any 
thing, except pay attention to him. But he could watch 
the face as ic drooped a little : he had an artist’s quick 
perception of the harmonious lines of beauty. The 
rounded cheek, the delicate pink ear, the snowy throat, 
and symmetrical slope of shoulder, were worth a painter’s 
study; and the white, slender wrist, with the tapering 


196 


JTELLY KINTNABD’S KINGDOM. 


fingers and soft palm — he knew it was soft by the tint of 
rosiness. 

They discussed the city a little ; and he told her of 
Paris, Vienna, and Venice. Bits of anecdote, legends, oi 
a quaint verse, were happily interspersed, yet will* no 
effort at entertaining. Then Mrs. Glyndon entered, and 
consulted them both about some costumes. — Bertie fid- 
geted, and whispered once or twice to his mamma. 

“ O Mrs. Kinnard ! he said suddenly, “ don’t you go 
out for your drive about this time? Isn’t it that the 
little boy wants? Do not let me detain you. You have 
been verj" good to be bothered with my indolent self so 
long ; ” and he rose. 

“ Wh}", I am just ready to entertain you now,” said 
Mrs. Glyndon. “ You need not feel compelled to go. — 
Bertie, can you not ring the bell for mamma? ” 

Mrs. Glyndon ordered the phaeton, and gave Nelly i 
commission for “ down in town.” Then she carried oflf 
Van Alstyne ; and Daisy returned before they had fin- 
ished their talk. 

She told him he might stay to tea, if he would drive 
her and Miss Endicott on the beach afterward ; and so 
Nelly found him on the veranda when she returned. 

That was the beginning. 

“ Don’t you worry about it,” said Mrs. Glyndon. “ A 
week from this time he will be bored with us, and go 
somewhere else, — leave Severn Point, doubtless. In 
fact, I rather enjoy our conquest. I cannot decide to 
whom the credit belongs.” 

Then Dr. Kinnard came on Saturday to stay over until 
Monday. 

Why, how blooming you look I he exclaimed to 
Nelly. “I need not ask if the place agrees with you. 
And where is Bertie? ” 

“ A gentleman has taken him out. You see, we did 
not expect you until the next train, and I meant to drive 


KELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


197 


down ; but this Mr. Van Alstyne wanted to take Bertie 
and they were going to bring Daisy home. You will 
think him so much improved. He walks quite well with- 
out his crutch. O Barton, how thankful I am I ** and 
there was a soft break in her voice. 

“ My darling, it is a good part owing to your courage 
and patience. I shall never forget that;” and his tone 
deepens with sudden emotion. “ And you are happy ? ” 

“ Mrs. Glyndon is bewitching to us all. She makes it 
a perfect holiday. K you could only stayl” and she 
passes her fingers caressingly through his soft hair. 
“You are looking tired.” 

“ There has been a good deal of sickness among the mill- 
hands, — intermittent, with bad symptoms. I am really 
glad you are down here, Nelly. Then Searles goes rway 
next week for a fortnight, and I shall be busier than ever. 
But I do mean to have a holiday with you before summer 
ends.” 

Then she inquires about home-matters. “ Mary and 
mother agree excellently,” says the doctor with a rather 
amused expression. A note had come from Aunt Ade- 
laide, leaving the travellers in good health. Old friends 
had dispersed for recreation ; “ and, of course, I am too 
busy to hunt up gossip.” With that he laughs. Then a 
sound of wheels breaks their Darby-and-Joan confidence. 

“There they cornel Let us go and receive them in 
atate,” 

“Has Daisy captured that handsome fellow?” is the 
surprised question. 

“He is not the kind to be captured,” laughed she, — 
“ least of all by such a wayside Daisy. I have come to 
think him safe on that account. And he is a very enter- 
taining companion.” 

“ Remember that I put in a claim for Dudley.” 

“ There is time enough,” answers Nelly, coloring deli- 
cately. “ Barton, I have felt lately what a solemn thing 

17 * 


198 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


it is to have a sweet young girl in your charge, to keep 
out worldliness and conceit and folty amid worldlj" and 
frivolous surroundings, and yet not thrust aside the true 
pleasures of youth.** 

“There, I will not have you borrowing trouble. I 
have great faith in the Endicott good sense.** 

“Papa, papal ** cries a joyous voice with a ring in it 
that the father has never heard in past days. 

Mr. Van Alstyne lifted Bertie Kinnard out carefully, 
and Miss Endicott courteously, then touched his hat, and 
was about to drive away, when Nellj’^s voice arrested him. 

“Do not go just yet, Mr. Van Alstyne. I want to 
present you to Dr. Kinnard, and thank you for the trouble 
you have taken.** 

“We went down to meet the train,** explained Daisy, 
“ and thought we must bring home a disappointment. 
Instead, you stole a march upon us. I am so glad, 
Nelly!** 

Mr. Van Alstyne responded politely ; but his gentle- 
manly manner did not prevent his taking a society meas- 
ure and estimate of “ that handsome girl’s husband.** 

“How could the marriage have come about?** he 
mused in some curiosity, on his homeward way, having 
declined an invitation to supper. “ Something on the 
Venus and Vulcan order, or Prosei’pine and Pluto. 
Queer alliances happen to ordinary mortals, as well as to 
the old gods. She was a minister’s daughter ; and he (vas 
the best that came to hand in a little countiy town, 1 
suppose. She may imagine she loves him;** and there 
was an incredulous curl on his handsome lip. 

“ After all,” he went on, “ women are much alike, the 
world over. I do believe all who are capable of the 
grand passion have it once in their lives. She certainly 
is. What eyes ! What a wealth of dormant passion, 
fire, and tenderness, just under the surface, that she nevei 
dreams of, but wastes her sweetness on that insensate 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 199 

cub, who kisses her as if she was a china doll, and 1 angs 
around her neck until I could give his a twist! The 
Endicott isn’t bad, either, with her flavor of meadows and 
wild roses, but not to be compared to the other. By 
Jove, Van I you have fallen into fresh pastures.” 

They at the cottage did not need to think of him. 
Once in the sitting-room. Dr. Kinnard took Bertie upon 
his knee, and looked him over in strange amaze. There 
had come a gradual but great change to the child, and he 
realized it suddenly. These months of Nelly’s winsome, 
gentle influence, began to bear fruit. The boyish rough- 
ness and ungraciousness, engendered in fear and repres- 
sion, fell away like an outside husk, and disclosed a warm, 
childish heart. It had been a favorite sneer of Aunt 
Adelaide’s, when he was particularly intractable, that this 
or that trait was just like his father. Nelly admitted that 
slie was nearer right than she seemed. So many faults 
are but virtues gnarled and trained awry. And now a 
shaft of that sweet human love had pierced the child’s 
spiritual being, making a tender radiance. A touch of 
moral bravery, a bit of unselflshness, a courteous little 
act done for her, and a careful avoidance of what she did 
not like. And when she saw him spring forward with a 
glad cry of welcome, or sitting, as he was now, half 
bashfully on his father’s knee, there was no jealousy in 
her flne nature. She had brought these two nearer 
together ; but it did not crowd her out. Love was not 
guch poor brittle stufl^ that it must snap if another laid 
a finger on it. 

“He has improved wonderfiilly.” But the words 
covered more than mere physical advance. 

“ And I can walk very well without any crutch. 0 
papa! can’t I throw it away? — the ugly old thing!” 
And the child looked up with pleading impetuosity. 

“ Not quite so fast, my son. We must not undo tha 
good work by impatience.” 


200 


NELLY KENNARD’S KINGDOM. 


“ Mamma said I might ask you.*’ 

“We will talk about it next time I come. And yo4 
must always do just as she says.** 

“ I do try, don’t I, mamma? But then she lets me do 
so many things, and drive the pony too. It*s just 
splendid I ** 

“Oh, my darling!** exclaimed the doctor when thej 
were alone, “ how can I ever be sufficiently grateful for 
all this care and good work? I feel sometimes as if you 
had given the child a soul. It appeared so terrible to me 
at first ; but, now that it is so nearly and successfully 
ended, I forget the trouble, and see only the good.** 

“ As it is right and best for you to do. It would be 
rank ingratitude for you to keep looking on the dark side, 
and thinking of the grief that might have been. God 
means us to enjoy the delight that he places right in our 
way.** 

“ I begin to think he placed you in my way with a 
definite purpose ;’ * and there was a sweet, solemn light 
in the soft brown eyes. “My dear girl, I understand 
occasionally that you have a wisdom of which I know 
nothing.** 

If George Van Alstyne could have penetrated the holy 
of holies in this wedded confidence, he might have found 
his opinion quite at fault. 

Two delightfully happy days there were for Nelly. The 
doctor and IVIrs. Glyndon had a spicy time. They always 
made war upon each other’s prejudices and beliefs with 
gay good nature and freedom. He was satisfied with 
their pleasant surroundings, and tore him self away with 
great regret, promising to come soon again. 

“ I think he is as nice as anybody’s papa,** said Ber- 
tie confidentially. 

The tide rolled back to every-day enjoyment. There 
were continual feasts of delight, — rowing-parties, when 
the sun was not too hot; boat-races, in which there wa." 


NELLY KTNNARD’S KINGDOM. 


201 


much eager rivaliy, the j^oung ladies wearing their favor- 
ite's colors; driving on the beach, or through shady 
lanes ; clambering over rocks ; unearthing strange ti’eas- 
ui’es ; playing at science, for one cannot do much more on 
a summer holiday. The poets took their pens, and wrote 
idyls. The artists studied the changes of the glowing 
midsummer sea in translucent greens, from opal paleness 
to purple depths, or when the light reflected the azure 
heavens, and crested each wave with sapphire tints. 
Cool mornings, with a soft gray under-roof of cloud or 
vapor ; brilliant evenings, when the setting sun seemed to 
melt and transfuse all that was magnificent in coloring 
They discussed art over their cream, and the wonders of 
the deep amid their dances, and picturesque views from 
hill and hollow. Surely there was enough without playing 
fast and loose with human hearts. 

Mrs. Glyndon's household had grown rapidly into favor. 
There was a bit of romance about Mrs. Kinnard and her 
lame step-son. Daisy Endicott was also in great demand. 
Her infectious frankness, her clear, rejoicing nature, so 
ready either to give or to hold, whichever seemed best ; to 
fill up the uninviting comers of life's great hannony, and 
give them the same glory as if they were high places *, 
cheerfully illumining the dull parts and out-of-the-way 
nooks that others disdained. 

Old ladies said, “ What a pretty, bright little body that 
Miss Endicott is ! so full of life, and yet not frivolous, sc 
diflferent from society-girls ! WTiy, it quite takes one bacli 
'to one's own youth. It is so good to see a young lady 
free from the miserable vice of husband-hunting !" 

The current set toward the cottage. The refined and 
intellectual part of Severn Point counted on these little 
teas and re-unions. Nelly, gracious and beautiful, moved 
among them quite a social queen. She enjoyed the widei" 
talk, the breadth and freshness of ideas : she criticised 
with a delicacy and force that gave tone to her opinions, 


502 


NELLY KXNNARD’S KINGDOM. 


Tormod, as many of them had been, in her father’s studj 
There was a fascination in her cordial smile and the 
depths of her clear, dark eyes. In this world, truth ia 
overlaid with so many disguises, that when one meets 
with it in the absolute glory of its simpleness, one looks 
about, like a man who has discovered a new and curious 
gem, and wonders what name it shall have, — as if God 
had not named it long before I 

Mrs. Glyndon had also taken George Van Alstyne in 
hand. Some woman is always seeing the capabilities of 
these lazy, handsome fellows. She was not one of those 
reprehensible persons, a married flirt ; but she liked a wide 
sphere, and plenty of people to manage. The half-dozen 
children that Dr. Kinnard suggested would have been 
admirable, after they had outgrown their unsatisfactory 
babyhood. She did not like helplessness nor ignorance, 
but wanted fully-developed material : to that she could 
have been mother, friend, teacher. So she said of Van 
Alstyne, — 

“ He wants a good sound shaking-up. He has talent 
enough for any thing. I do believe, if he was to lose 
every dollar, and be compelled to work for daily bread, 
we should soon hear something from him. But there ! I 
daresay some one would rise from an unheard-of quarter 
of the earth or the moon, and leave him half a million. 
It’s a shame when he might do so much ! ” 

He liked the humorous, half-petulant, and wholly 
sensible scolding. He made himself quite necessary, 
assisting her with pleasure-parties, picnics, and home- 
entertainments. She took good care not to throw Daisy 
Endicott in his way. Beach rambles, and moonlight 
drives, plaintive little songs, and shady comers of the 
porch through drowsy afternoons, provocative of much 
reading of poetry, were wisely discountenanced,— 
guarded against rather than forbidden. 

But he had been used to pleasing himself all his life. 


NELLY KINNARD’S ICINGDOM. 


203 


without thinking of consequences. Foi him there were 
none. He never staid to taste the bitter draught, or 
waited for autumn frosts. Rather better than the majority 
of men, he fancied himself. There had been one brief 
gambling-fever in his life ; and it had not proved a bad 
lesson. He had never run away with any man’s wife, 
or betrayed any young girl. Low company of all kinds 
disgusted him : drinking and racing had no charms. 
Surely his was the “ primrose way.” 

It must be conceded that his estimate of women had 
been formed, and perhaps not unjustly, from those he 
was in the habit of mingling with, — pure society-women ; 
young wives to whom dancing, dressing, and flirting was 
the ultima thule of enjoyment, and who were glad to 
take in their train so refined and attractive a man. The 
otlier class were marriageable daughters, with managing 
mammas or chaperones^ who were ready to tear each other 
in pieces for even a forlorn hope. He rather liked to 
be the centre of this rivalry. He laughed at the pains 
and allurements, the petty spite, the small stabs, and 
selfish triumphs of these young women. That he helped 
to lower them in his own and each other’s estimation, 
never once occurred to him. He spiced his reflections 
with dainty bits of philosophy picked up here and there 
in his reading, — not of an elevating kind where the fair 
sex were concerned. He meant to have a good time, and 
plenty of what he called enjoyment. 

He also had access to a higher circle, and found in it s 
degree of piquant pleasure, — women, who, from innate 
force of character, stepped out of the rigid routine of 
society. There was such a clique at Severn Point. He 
could discuss painting and poetry, medicine and politics, 
and the questions of the day regarding the social status 
of ^romen. His reading had not been altogether frivolous ; 
and his powers of observation were good, in the main. 
They looked upon him as a step above a brilliant butterfly. 


204 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


but would never have thought of demanding a honej-bee’a 
labor from him. 

He had gone the round of simple pleasures in that far- 
back youth, when he thought a waltz with a handsome 
girl divine. But he must have some excitement beyond 
bread and tea. So he laid siege to Mrs. Kinnard’s igno- 
rance of her own wants and powers. She should learn 
that there was something higher and keener in the world 
than the pleasure of ministering to the wants and whims 
of a country doctor, and calling out her exquisite mother- 
liness for this commonplace fledgeling. 

And when she had learned her lesson — what then, Mr. 
VanAlstyne? When you had taught her to believe her 
present surroundings dull and narrow, her simple duties 
distasteful ; when she aimed at greater heights of intel- 
lectual and pyschological pleasm’e, and felt herself bound 
Land and foot, — what had you to ofler her for her olden 
oontent, her unalloyed faith, her unstained sweetness? 
Ah, then you would say pityingly, “ Well, she was foolish 
to marry such a clod; but, having done it, there is 
nothing but to abide by her bargain,’^ and leave her to 
find her way back to the despoiled altar alone, if, haply, 
it might be found at all. Would she bless her fatal 
knowledge, think you? 

As for her, she never di’eamed of his speculations. He 
was an entertaining companion ; but she did not even seek 
to make a friend of him. Their acquaintance would end 
with this summer idling. It was like walking through 
some palace garden; but she felt no desire to pluck 
blossoms simply because they were forbidden, and were 
for other hands. She had no small vanity to be elated 
She had won the heart of one man, and was thcrewitli 
content. 


CHAPTER XVn. 


“ Such things^ however, he used to do aforetime, also, he uied 
to offer you a little of what he received ; but he used to set before 
himself the greater part.” — Abistophanes’ Comedy. 

It was a musical evening this time. The performers 
had been put down for certain parts, and were acquitting 
themselves creditably, without any halts or demurs. The 
audience were genially appreciative. In the pauses little 
Knots and gi’oups chatted gayly. 

Over in this corner, with a portfolio of Hogarth’s satires 
between them, sat Mrs. Kinnard and Mr. Van Alstyne. 
She had done her part in singing, been very agreeable to 
some new-comers ; and now, rather to her surprise, she 
found herself alone with him in a somewhat earnest dis- 
cussion. 

“Then you do not think,” he was saying, “ that this 
soul we have been speaking of has a right to free itself 
from the customs and shackles of society, and live out a 
higher life, — one more true to itself ? ” 

“Now you generalize quite too much, Mr. Van Al- 
styne,” she answered with a franli smile. “Isn’t being 
‘true to one’s self ’ a rather confusing term ? What if 
the self were wrong? In such a case, would the life ha\e 
any greater freedom ? Would not the restless soul come 
to another bar presently, and fret against that? Do not 
people occasionally mistake restlessness for develop- 
ment?” 

“ But one cannot remain forever in the same old groove 
18 205 


206 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM, 


It is not natural or right. I hate people who lancy the* 
are fitted, once for all, in some corner.^’ 

“ But it may fit them; ” and she glanced up brightly. 
“It seems to me a fortunate thing for the stability of the 
world, for progress even, that aU do not want to change.” 

“ But you would take away improvement. And pardon 
me, Mrs. Kinnard, but that does not seem like you. I 
have admired you in many things, I cannot help it ; and 
one has been this very breadth and liberality of opinion.” 

It was most delicate flattery. His eyes vouched for 
his earnestness, if not his ’truth. 

“What I mean is this, Mr. Van Alst3nie,” she said 
with the most direct simplicity. “ There are certain 
known laws of right and wrong, subject to small modifica- 
tions perhaps. But it seems hardly safe to me to stray 
out of the beaten path. When one begins to make new 
laws, there is no limit. Might it not be possible for these 
souls to improve under existing circumstances? Have 
they tried all in their own sphere, — aU work, all prayer, 
all patience? ” 

He was not prepared to meet so important a question, 
and said, rather evasively, — 

“ Then you don't think anybody in this world is mis- 
fitted, out of place? I do, I can't help it. Neither can 
I blame them for trying to get somewhere else. They 
may make many mistakes before they find their true 
sphere.” 

A grave light filled her beautiful eyes. 

“ Yes : I have seen people whom I thought were out of 
place ; but, if they endeavored earnestly and patiently to 
fulfil their allotted tasks, there was a heroism about it that 
taught a gi’ander lesson than any mere personal enjoy- 
ment. Do you not think, when a person sets out to have 
happiness or indulgence at any cost, he may take that 
which is clearly another's? WTiat is a strong desire of 
that to which some other has attained, but covetous- 
ness?” 


NELLY KINNAED's KINGDOM. 


207 


^ It might not be another person's.” 

“ But that was where we started from. This poor soul, 
seeing the richness and fulness of other lives, longs for 
liberty to get out of its sphere, to leave its duties behind, 
to seek pleasure wherever it can be found, — perhaps the 
very thing, that God, for some wise purpose, is keeping 
out of its way. I have thought sometimes, that when a 
person desires a thing very much, — a thing that others 
could see was wrong and improper, — God allowed him to 
attain it, and take the bitter consequences that followed 
in its train.” 

“ But it seems hard, when one has made a mistake, to 
forbid him to try again. Are you not a fatalist in happi- 
ness?” and he smiled with a dangerous, alluring light 
“ If it comes, well and good : if not, make no search for 
it.” 

“Not quite. The trouble is in making it the chief 
good, in searching so restlessly for it. We are talking 
unwarrantably at an evening party, are we not? Miss 
Graham is going to sing ‘ Three Fishers ; * and you must 
listen. And there is Miss Howe.” 

She beckoned for the latter to join them. Van Alstyne 
bit his lip. Any other woman would have been delighted 
to keep him to herself. He was not used to friendly in- 
difference on the part of the sex. And he wished she 
were not so horribly practical with her right and wrong. 
Why could she not compare and analyze feelings, emo- 
tions, even wishes, and stray to that farther verge where 
love trenched upon passion ? Was there any thing intense 
or enthusiastic in her nature ? 

Provoked, he strayed off to another group. Daisy En- 
dicott had been talking earnestly ; and the flush was still 
on her face : her eyes had a peculiar, dewy softness. He 
was bored by the music, and in a mood of vexed despera- 
tion : so he brought out all his fascinations, and charmed 
her. 


208 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


Nelly happened to glance up, and caught sight of 
Daisy’s rapt, attentive face. She crossed over to them, 
and would have detached her; but it was not so easily 
done. He was a skilful tactician on his own ground. 

“ Can she be jealous?” he thought with secret exulta- 
tion. “ Is she like other women in this? If so, I hold 
the trump-card.” 

He had no fine scruples upon this point. It amused 
hi m to see one woman pitted against another. He had 
been good quite long enough. Not a single spicy flirta- 
tion this whole summer ! 

He was tired of these intellectual arguments, compari- 
sons of old and new truths, intricate and toUsome reason- 
ings, higher culture, mental progress, growth, evolution, 
and all that He was here in the world to have a good 
time. A long afternoon in some blossomy nook, watch- 
ing the color come and go on a woman’s cheek, her ej^es 
droop, and the lids tremble, the scarlet lip quiver with 
contending emotions, the white hands clasp of themselves 
now and then, as if they were longing for some other 
clasp — ah ! that was worth all the metaphysics in the 
world for him. 

“ I don’t object to the enjoyment of others : why should 
they to mine?” he reasoned petulantly to himself. “ To 
show a woman that she has a heart is surely no great 
crime, so long as vou do not win it.” 

But where did he mean the knowledge to end, and the 
experience to begin ? 

So far, Daisy Endicott had passed unscathed. While 
there had been much pleasure at Severn Point, flirtations 
had been kept in the background. Mrs. Glyndon was 
not the kind of woman to allow a man to drift into fond- 
ness for her. She had very little sentiment ; and that was 
of the highest order. Nelly Kinnard would have blushed 
with shame at any one daring to esteem her in but one 
light, — that of Dr. Kinnard’ s wife. Her theory was, 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


209 


that, in these cases, a woman must hold out some encour- 
agement ; and she experienced a pit3dng s}u apathy foi 
those unfortunates who turned from ill-chosen companions 
to the dangerous sjunpathy and fascinating possibility that 
occasionally opened before them. 

But in Van Alstyne’s code there were no fine distinctions. 
That subtle understanding must fiash out when the right 
souls met. They need not cause a scandal (he would be 
the last one to do that) ; but they might admit in their 
secret hearts, that, if fate had led them in different paths — 

Would he be content to sta}^ in this path with this oi 
that woman? It was a question he never asked himself. 
To him there was always an outgrowing, a sense of further 
development. But if, on the other side, there was not this 
fatal changing? The most fickle man demands that the 
woman he loves shall be true to fdm. 

It was an easy matter to be a little more tc Daisy 
Endicott. They had been such frank, good friends, — this 
man of the world, and the simple-hearted girl. Why 
could he not let her grow and blossom for the one hand to 
pluck presently, to have and to hold forever ? 

It was only a deeper meaning in the smiles ; the peculiar 
ton of a word or sentence ; a choice flower ; a bit of 
poetr}", the pathos of which she could readily understand, 
and that he would hardly offer at any other shi’ine on 
account of its rare simplicity; asking aid and comfort 
in some weary moment, and showing her the despondency 
of his moods, while others believed he never had a serious 
leeling. 

‘‘She will be none the worse for a little experience 
of her own,’’ he argued selfishly, salving thereby his 
conscience. 

Opportunities, as I have said, were not wanting. Mat- 
ters had settled into so comfortable a groove, that Mrs. 
Grlyndon was no longer watchful. He did not mean to 
iraw any other person’s attention to his idling ; and this 
18 * 


210 


NELLY KJNNABD’S KINGDOM. 


very fact was calculated to blind an unsuspicious girl 
Daisy Endicott knew so little of the fatal craving for ex 
citement ; her life had been so healthful, her duties fresb 
and varied, if simple. Her affection flowed in natimal 
channels, and did not need to tread daintily and daringly 
to the verge of danger. There was no continual mtro 
spection or morbid analysis : she lived daily in the “ open 
sunshine of God’s love,” and was content. 

Dr. Kinnard had made two brief visits at Severn Point, 
— one of a night’s duration, the other a little longer ; but 
he did not come for society. Nelly asked when they were 
to return home. 

“ Are you not happy and content here?” was his half- 
humorous query. 

“Yes, both. But when I think of you in your lonely 
home, and with your pressing duties, I feel as if my place 
was at your side.” 

“ Thank you, my dear ; ” and he drew her closer to his 
side with a fond pressure, though the grave little frown, 
that seldom meant any thing more than a puzzle, settled 
between his brows. “Imay as^ well tell you the truth, 
Nelly ; ” and then it cleared up. “ The fever at Edgerly 
has been worse than I at flrst expected. At times I have 
felt quite discouraged. What can you do when people 
are so afraid of fresh air and cleanliness ; when they spread 
their beds as soon as they are out of them ; allow all 
manner of refuse to gather in cellars, or lay festering in 
back-yards ; who are ignorant of the flrst laws of health, 
and stick obstinately to what their grandfathers and 
grandmothers did under widely different circumstances ? 
If it was only the poor and careless who sickened and 
died as the result of their own inefliciency — but these 
things spread, as they have at Edgerly. We are high, 
and out of reach of malaria ; but still it is a relief to have 
you and Bertie away. I have less to think of. I can 
come and go as I please ; and you may imagine that I am 
kept pretty busy.” 


NELLY KINNARD'S KINGDOM. 


211 


“ But your own danger ! You think nothing of that 1 
she cried vehemently. 

“ My own danger is not very alarming/' he returned 
rather gayly. “ I have not lived in this woild six and 
thirty years without learning to take care of myself. 
Don’t make a bugbear of that now ! I will promise you, 
that, at the first symptom of any thing like indisposition, 
I will rejoin you here. There, is not that enough? It 
would be cowardly to desert my post in my present 
robust health.” 

“But does Mary keep you quite comfortable?” the 
young wife inquired anxiously. 

“ Mary is a jewel. Little Katy has been rather ailing : 
BO we sent her away. I wanted mother to go; but” — 
and he shrugged his shoulders. 

“ You could not manage her as easily as you do me.” 

“ Exactly, Nelly ; ” and he gave a mellow laugh. “ She 
is on the spot, you see, and will not go ; and, somehow ” — 

He rose in the long pause, and began to pace the floor 
thoughtfully. 

“ Yes,” he went on directly, “ somehow matters have 
changed between us. She seems to care for watching 
over me, and doesn’t fret as she used. Maybe I am 
more patient : I don’t know. Actually, Nelly, she keeps 
fresh flowers on the dining-table, and has come to have 
ways like you. It is very pleasant,” in a kind of dreamy 
tone. 

“Veiy pleasant!” Nelly Kinnard crowded down 
something that seemed to rise with her breath. A nother 
woman ministering in her place, standing in her stead, 
copying her ways, breathing soft and tender words, teach- 
ing him to miss her less and less ? There was a quick, 
<diarp pang — to be crowded out! Why, the child was 
not half to her that he was, — her chosen husband. 
Should she not demand her right? 

She thrust out the foul temptation. If any Jealous 


‘.212 IffELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 

feeling entered in, it should not take pDssession. God 
had made him a son long before human love made him a 
husband. She ought to feel glad and satisfied that there 
was some one to cheer his solitude. 

She sprang up suddenly, holding out her hands with 
wordless entreaty. He took them with a little caress, 
then, infolding her with his arm, went on pacing the room 
with her at his side. 

“ Nelly,’’ and a touch of emotion trembled in his 
voice, “I think your life at Edgerly has been thorny in 
many ways. I might have helped some of it at first, if 
T had known how ; but I was afraid of maldng matters 
worse. And men cannot see with women’s e3"es, lucky for 
them sometimes that they do not and he laughed with 
a flavor of irony. “ I have to thank j^ou for a great deal 
of patience and sweetness : nay, let me go on. I had a 
man’s fancy that I was marrying you all for myself. 1 
meant that you should be troubled with no responsibility 
of children, until it pleased God to gi'ant you some of 
your own. As for mother and Aunt Adelaide, what they 
thought was of small importance to me. But (shall I 
say it?) Providence” — and there was a reverential in- 
flection to his voice — “has changed much of this. You 
have won a mother’s sacred place in Bertie’s aflection, 
given him more tenderness than many mothers bestow. 
You have made him nearer to me : you have brought the 
solemn responsibility of fatherhood before me in its 
divine light. When I look back ” — 

She felt the arm tremble that clasped her so closely. 
Ah ! could any thing shut her out of his heart ? 

He was not much given to talking matters over. She 
would never know just what this separation was doing for 
him, for her ; how he missed her in a thousand ways 
that he could never have put in words ; how he lingered 
over her courage and tenderness of the past winter, 
discovering the exquisite delicacy and richness of a true 


NELLY KINNABD’s KINGDOM. 


213 


9iroman’s nature, thanking God with a strange humility 
for the rare gift vouchsafed to him. 

In this softened mood, he turned to his mother with a 
sympathy she had seldom received before. A century of 
living alone with her would never have brought out his 
best points. She fretted and jan’ed too much : he with- 
drew to inward solitudes. Her stubborn pride would not 
have allowed her to soften perceptibly before Nelly ; and 
even now she would have fiercely resented any suspicion 
of copying such an inexperienced young woman. But 
she did many things with no higher motive, it must be 
confessed, than to please him ; and, in his changed mood, 
he was touched by these little evidences of aflection on 
her part. People are not so widely separated as they 
imagine. Often the partition-wall is hardly more than 
paper, and needs but the right touch to break it down 
These son-lilte ways were not as new to his thought, 
perhaps, as to the outward expression of them. There 
was no Aunt Adelaide to nip sentiment in the bud with 
ner cold sneers. 

Dr. Kinnard bent, and kissed his wife tenderly. 

‘‘I think we shall find a smoother way in the future, 
little woman,’’ he went on with an effort at gayety, hard- 
ly venturing to trust his voice further among the deep 
emotions of the soul. “And, when you return, I hope 
there will await you what you have not yet had, — a 
mother’s cordial welcome.” 

Nelly gave the arm that encircled her a caressing 
pressure. 

“ You will stay, and be content? You will not worry 
about me ? Have this much confidence in me, my dear 
child, that I shall not run any unnecessary risks. But 
it is hardly so bad as that.” 

Yes, she would have faith in him, not only in the mat- 
ter of the sickness, but in others of deeper moment 
Nothing should impair the sweetness of her trust. 


214 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


And yet there were hours when she would have pre- 
erred toil beside him to the dreamy indolence to which 
she seemed condemned. True, Bertie improved every 
day. They resumed some of the discarded lessons, 
though it was more object than book teaching. She 
interested herself in household affairs with her gracious 
tact. 

“My asking you here was a positive inspiration/’ 
Mrs. Glyndon would exclaim. “ What could I have 
done without you?” 

Mr. Van Alstyne remarked her pre-occupation. Did it 
betoken some secret dissatisfaction ? She watched Daisy 
with a quiet but unflagging solicitude. Was it a touch of 
jealousy, just enough to make her piquant, — a fear lest 
he should prove too attractive ? He felt strangely elated 
by either view of the case. If he could only succeed in 
rousing her to any thing I To see the fine dark eyes grow 
lustrous, to deepen the color on the beautiful cheek, or 
rouse the lips out of their placid curves ! Why, he could 
have won almost any other woman’s soul with half the 
effort — but, Mr. Van Alstyne, it would not have been 
this order of woman. 

An incident occurred just at this time that served tc 
heighten his interest in both, and hasten the catastrophe 
Nelly was studying to avert. 

“ I am going to send Dudley to Severn Point,” said 
Dr. Kinnard in one of his letters. “ He has worked him- 
self out, and needs change and rest. Tell Mrs. Glyndon 
to take him in hand, while I prescribe negatives, — no 
sermons, no theological points, no plans for parish work, 
nothing but eating, sleeping, and diversion.” 

There had been a thinning-out at the hotels. Vacation 
had ended for some of the young men; and the ladies 
needed fresh pastures. Tableaux had grown tiresome ’ 
amateur concerts were on the wane ; picnics with gypsy 
suppers had lost their charm. Indeed, Mrs. Glyndon’s 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


21i 


evenings were the only entertainments that kept theit 
piquancy and freshness. 

“ iVIr. Dudley will be quite an excitement,” said Mrs. 
Glyndon with a wonderful accession of interest. “ Lei 
me see — the Edgecombes will just suit him ; and they 
have that delightful second-story room empty. Nelly, 
we must go over and see.” 

“ That is the way with you women. You must always 
have some one new in your train, — a tame bear, or a pet 
lion. Will I be eaten up, or growled at? ” 

Mrs. Glyndon laughed heartily. 

“ Upon my word, Mr. Van Alslyne, it is odd to rouse 
you to such fierceness. Why, I thought you were asleep 
there on the sofa : so Mrs. Kinnard and I would be quite 
at liberty to discuss ways and means. And then he is 
Mrs. Kinnard’ s clergyman.” 

‘ ‘ Father-confessor ? ’ ’ 

“Well — not exactly;” and Mrs. Glyndon gave a 
funny perk to her brows. 

“So you throw me overboard. Well, republics are 
ungrateful.” 

“ Why, no. But you were complaining of dulness no 
longer ago than yesterday.” 

“ Was I? A man can repent, I suppose,” raising his 
slow-moving, magnificent eyes. “ I am tired of hanging 
around with hands full of shawls and baskets. The dewy 
uplands are wet; the sun scorches you; and the gnats 
sting in the shade ” — 

“ And the spray wets you, the dancing heats you, the 
driving bores you. You are a spoiled child. Van 
Alst\me. You have been indulged until you think the 
whole world ought to revolve around you. It is high 
time I took you in hand, and set you in your proper 
place.” 

The pretty assumption of motherliness did not in the 
least offend him. When Mrs. Glyndon said she scolded, 


216 


NELLY KTNNABD’s KINGDOM. 


you might know of a truth that she was extra good 
humored. 

“ Why, we ought to go this very afternoon,” she says 
presently, jumping up in a little fluster. “ To-day *3 
Friday ; and Mr. Dudley will be here on Monday. — You 
can amuse yourself, can you not. Van Alstyne? ” 

“ Oh, don’t mind me ! I must go and say good-by to 
half a dozen women who set sail to-morrow ; ” and he rises 
in a lazily-petulant manner while they are making their 
plans. Mr. Dudley’s coming is not a pleasant prospect to 
him. 

Addio,” with regretflil grace and ease. 


CHAPTER XVnL 


^Bat had I wist, when first I kist, 

That love hae been sae ill to win, 

Fd locked my heart in case o’ gowd, 

And pinned it wi’ a siller pin.” — Old Ballad. 

No, i was not a pleasant prospect. He hated to be 
pushed Aside for any man : he was not used to it where 
women were concerned. He was sauntering along in a 
vexed mood, when he met Miss Endicott, her hands full 
of feathery grasses, and looking like a Watteau shepherd* 
ess in her wide seaside hat with its white frilling and 
cherry-colored bows. 

“ They are discussing Mr. Dudley, and will be out the 
next hour, hunting him up a domicile of some kind. So 
they don't need you, and I do ; for I am in a horridly ill- 
humor. Will you not take a ramble down to the Point, 
good Samaritan?" 

She glanced up into the handsome face with some 
indecision ; but the entreating eyes and beseeching smile 
conquered it. 

I have been out all the afternoon with Miss Gra- 
ham " — 

“ Then finish it with me. There, we will lay the 
grasses in this sheltered nook ; " and he took them from 
her hand, slipping it within his arm. He knew well that 
taking possession was better than arguing half an hour. 

On they went to the gray ledges of rock, where they 
couli sit with the shining sand at their feet, and tb* 

19 217 


218 


NELLY KINNARD'S KINGDOM. 


vnde waters spread out before them. They were qait€ 
alone too. Out in the hazy distance, some fishermen 
were singing. The billows, crested in pale emerald and 
frost-white, came in like faiiy squadrons on some enchanted 
quest. The pale clear sun went dropping down in the 
west beyond the. distant town, shedding a softened glory, 
instead of his usual fiery rays. The sky was of palest 
blue with long sapphire streaks. Bars of dim yellow, 
faint violet, and delicate rose, crossed the golden back- 
ground, and presently mingled into cool, dreamy gray, 
that left a peculiar luminous track on the waves. 

He talked, and she listened with shy, girlish gladness. 
It was not so much what he said as his manner of saving 
it. She could not have repeated one entire sentence 
afterward; but the impression sank into her soul. She 
had a feeling that it would be delightful to stay here for- 
ever, listening to the caressing sweetness of his voice, that 
chorded so exquisitely with the twilight rhythm of the sea. 
And, after a while, it was all gray about them, — the 
purple and dun gray of coming night. 

“ Oh ! *’ she cried, rousing herself, “ we must go home. 
I did not dream it was so late.” 

He started at the full, rich depths of her voice, — the 
tone that comes from a soul that has been quafl^ng draughts 
from Circean fountains. He had willed to be fascinating, 
to stir the depths of her nature ; and he had succeeded. 
If he preserved that grave, brotherly demeanor, she would 
never know how near she had been to the fatal shore. 
Could he ? It was only pastime, on his part ; and he had 
gone far enough. Would he? 

They walked slowly back. She was in too much of an 
enchanted atmosphere to be disturbed by any anxiety of 
what was to come. They found the grasses ; and he went 
with her to the gate. Ah ! after all, had he the manliness 
to let her go? — the soft, brown fluttering dove. 

They said good-night. Then he turned. It was a 
cruel deed on his part. 


IffBLLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


21S 


“ Daisy/’ he had always called her Miss Endic^tt 
befjre, — “ Daisy, you will not allow this new-comer to 
crowd me out ? I ought to retain some of the rights of a 
friend, surely.” His voice sank to that low, entreating 
sweetness. ‘ ‘ Promise. ’ ’ 

“Yes,” she answered softly, overcome by some subtle 
knowledge. Then he raised her hand, and pressed an 
eager kiss upon it. 

She did not think, “ He loves me.” Her shyness and 
humility would have forbidden that until he confessed it. 
She was on a wide, delicious sea, satisfied to drift care- 
lessly into port. 

She opened the hall-door slowly. A softened light 
came from the dining-room, where they were at the table, 
with the addition of Miss Howe, who had “ run over ” tc 
discuss her new plans. She was to go to Paris in Septem- 
ber. 

“ Well, truant ! ” was the gay exclamation. “ You and 
Miss Graham did not quite conclude to play babes in the 
wood. Oh, what beautiful grasses I Did you go to the 
hotel? ” 

“Yes,” answered Daisy. Miss Howe’s voice restored 
her to every-day life. 

“ Did you see her dress? Isn’t it exquisite? You are 
not going to the hop? It is the last at Eastwoods.” 

“ No,” returned Mrs. Glyndon. 

“You staid late,” said Nelly gently. 

“ My dear Mrs. Kinnard, think of girls’ confidences 
over new gowns ! I remember of holding some lengthy 
ones a decade ago ; and I am still fond of pretty dresses 
— What were we talking of, Mrs. Glyndon? Oh, those 
French apartments ! I think they would be pleasanter. 
We shall have Mrs. McLean to matronize us, you know. 
When I went before with papa, we were at hotels ; but 
that was merety touring. Now I expect to live.” 

Daisy took her place, and ate her supper. Afterward, 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 

she changed her dress ; for some one always dropped in. 
Circumstances, and not any design of her own, had given 
her a secret, too rare and precious to be brought out tc 
common day. And with secrets begins danger. 

Van Alstyne was over the next afternoon with hliss 
Howe, who teased him concerning a rosebud one of the 
ladies at the hotel had given him. 

“ I think you are envious,’* he said playfully. “ Here, 
I am going to leave it to perish in Miss Endicott’s hair. 
Ic could not have a better fate.** 

He leaned over and fastened it, hiding the blushing 
face in a friendly manner, and giving one daring glance 
into the frightened eyes. 

“Why, Severn Point will be almost deserted when 
your party go,** said Mrs. Glyndon. “WTiat will you 
do? ** and she turned to Van Alstyne. 

“ I don’t see why I should rush off to the city amid 
2Lq sweltering heat of August,” he replied impatiently. 
“ If you are tired of me, I might take a hunting- tour to 
the Rocky Mountains until New York gets habitable 
once more.” 

“ WTiy, no: we are not tired of you,” and she gave 
him a rather puzzled look ; “ but I think, sometimes, that 
you are tired of yourself. Summer holidays are delight- 
ful ; but life is not all summer.” 

He shrugged his shoulders daintily. “ It will be time 
enough to think of winter by and by. I daresay I shall 
astonish you, some day, by a vast amount of hidden and 
well seasoned talent. * * 

“ I only hope you will,” said Miss Howe. “I know 
well enough that you could.” 

“For instance, when the divining-finger of love touches 
me ; ** and his eyes wandered in a downcast manner to 
Daisy Endicott. 

“Van Alstyne I ** cried Miss Howe sharply. “ A man 
who depends upon love for his redemption is hardly worth 
saving.” 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


221 


“Perhaps I am not. I don’t know,” he sa:d witk 
strange, sad softness. 

Mr. Dudley came, according to arrangement. He wag 
looking quite worn now. There was nothing in his 
appearance to compare with Mr. Van Alstyne, it was 
true ; and yet his was a fine, scholarly face, with truthful 
eyes, and a frank smile, — a man who gave the impres- 
sion of much quiet courage and persistence ; who, though 
not lacking in energy, would win more souls by his tire- 
less patience than by hurrying them out of danger. 

They had to talk, first of all, about Edgerly. The fever 
had been worse than Dr. Kinnard had admitted to them. 

“But he is just the man to take such a matter in 
hand,” explained Mr. Dudley in a glow of admiration. 
“ He did one good thing, — cleared out Hull’s Row root 
and branch ; and the whole block is torn down to make 
room for something better. Why, the basement-walls were 
thick with mould. The worst cases of fever were there ; 
and, when three died in one day, the authorities found it 
was high time to bestir themselves. I wish he could be 
put in president of the Board of Health : he wouldn’t go 
at evils with light kid gloves, I assure you.” 

Nelly smiled appreciatively. “ I have been afraid all 
the time that something would happen to him.” 

“He has such a magnificent physique, Mrs. Kinnard! 
And then — didn’t you leave a little of yourself in the 
house?” with a quick, questioning smile. “Mrs. Chase 
went away ; a::d the doctor, you see, made me come out 
and spend the nights with him. It is all so different from 
what it used to be ! — I can’t exactly teU, but wonderfully 
enjoyable ; and it made me think continually of you.” 

Mr. Van Alstyne felt a good deal annoyed at the 
“parson’s freedom,” as he termed it. In a fit of morti- 
fied vanity, he half resolved to go away. The little 
Endicott might get fond of him.” 

Then he discovered, with a man’s sharp eyes, that 

19 * 


222 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


Arthur Dudley was not altogether insensible to hei 
charms. No, he would stay and see the fun out. 

The party had diminished so much, that Mr. Dudley 
and Mr. Van Alstyne were the only constant attendants. 
The drives, the sails, and rambles were to be taken over 
again. He had either Daisy or Mrs. Kinnard for a 
companion. 

He used to fancy sometimes, that, if he had met her 
before her foolish marriage, — it was always foolish to 
him, — she might have been the one woman to awaken 
his ambition, and lead him in some useful path. He 
quite forgot the many brilliant and rarely endowed women 
who had crossed his way. Still there was something 
eminently attractive in her very directness, her truth, and 
honor. Even a friendship with her — there would be no 
breach of decorum in that. 

Ah ! her eyes were too clear. She had been trained, in 
her simple home, to finer reasonings than the picturesque 
imaginings of what might have been under diflerent cir- 
cumstances, or the so-called metaphysical distinctions 
that confuse vice and virtue. He was a handsome, 
attractive, cultured man ; but his specious arguments had 
no more weight with her from that fact. His dangerous 
beauty could make no impression on this woman ; and it 
stung him keenly. 

There was a week or ten days of odd, under-current 
skirmishing. Mrs. Kinnard was throwing her sister into 
Mr. Dudley’s hands, that was evident ; and Dudley was 
going into the realms of fancy with rapid strides. But 
he could summon Miss Endicott back again. There was 
a subtle understanding between, — something that would 
have been quite indescribable on Daisy’s part, had she 
wanted to confess it ; and no pure, sweet soul like hers 
could have talked over a suspected love. It had not come 
near enough to isolate her, not even to set her thinking 
what this friendly tenderness on Mr. Dudler^s part meant 


NELLY KENNARD’S KENdDOM. 223 

September came in brilliantly, with magnificent sun- 
sets that made the sea a glow of fire. Dr. Kinnard was 
to come for a week, and then the household would bretik 
up ; Mrs. Glyndon going on a westward tour with her 
husband. Nelly counted the days from no spirit of 
ungraciousness, but a positive longing for relief from the 
strain upon her. A thrilling fear had taken possession 
of her. Save Daisy she must, if she exerted herself to 
the utmost ; and never had Van Alstyne made himself 
more dangerous. She had the strong safeguard of « 
husband’s love, and her own honor; but how was Daisy 
to know the shoals and quicksands of this desperate 
tide ! 

This was what Van Alstyne liked. He could not 
understand her noble impulse ; but he saw she was re- 
solved to keep him away from her sister, even if she 
made the utmost exertion. It brought out the latent 
forces of her nature, many charming little ways that a 
society-belle might have envied for their dainty piquancy. 

“I shall have one more entertainment,” said Mrs. 
Glyndon. “ I want to ask the Daventiys and the Max- 
wells ; but I am a little puzzled ; ” and there she 
paused. 

“About what?” asked Daisy, looking up from her 
game of chess with Van Alstyne, who was playing shame- 
fiilly into her hands. 

“I want it to be real charming, of course. If the 
Howe party were here, we would make it music and con- 
versation ; but the Daventry girls are extravagantly fond 
of dancing. Dr. Kinnard and Mr. Dudley will be here, 
an.i how to suit the different tastes ” — 

“ Why, have every thing,” said Van Alstyne, looking 
up with a glow of interest, — talking for the sedate, music 
for the sentimental, and dancing for such commonplace 
people as Miss Endicott and I. There I why do you not 
say ‘check?’ You may never have so good a chance 
again.” 


224 


NELLY KlNNARD’S KINGDOM* 


“ You have not been trying in real earnest.*^ 

“And you consider me of so little worth, that you 
won’t even take me at a game of chess.” 

“I — oh I” and Daisy blushed distressfully under the 
glance of the deep eyes. 

“Yes, Mrs. Glyndon, that will be the best of all,” he 
went on. “ And then one of your dainty suppers.” 

“ There is not much space for dancing ; but, if I do 
andertake it, I want your very best assistance, Mr. Van 
Alstyne. No indolent indifference, mind you. I should 
hate to have a failure.” 

“ We could open Nelly’s room, you know,” said Daisy. 

“ And have the band from the hotel. Why, let me see, 
next Wednesday, it will be almost full moon.” 

“ Just magnificent ! Now you have it all without any 
trouble.” 

“I think we might make it really delightful. And 
there is Mrs. Kinnard and Bertie.” 

Van Alst}me bent over to pick up a fallen chessman. 
“ Remember,” he said, “ you are engaged to me for a 
good share of the dancing. Have you forgotten that my 
very first introduction to you was as partner for a qua- 
drille?” 

No, she had not. And she was touched by his remem- 
brance of it. 

They sent out their invitations, and everybody began to 
count on the pleasure. Afterward there would be a gen- 
eral dispersion. Even Van Alstyne spoke of taking a 
little run up in Canada. 

Tuesday brought Dr. Kinn< .'d. Nelly welcomed him 
with an hysterical cry of joy. 

“ Well, you see I am not worn to skin and bone by 
any means,” he said laughingly. “ I think I could go 
through another summer with tolerable comfort, though I 
prefer an autumn sandwiched between. But I am quite 
satisfied with you. Why, 3'ou are positively radiant 
Won’t you be ashamed of an old chap like me? ” 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


225 


“ I am so glad to have you, so glad I she cried with 
quivering lips. 

“ I do believe you are. No handsome young man has 
put you out of conceit with your old fellow? Come, I 
will not have any tears for my welcome.” 

They rambled together out of doors all the evening. 
Van Alstyne supposed her in her room, and was a little 
vexed at her sudden desertion, enforced, as he insisted it 
must be. Mrs. Glyndon sent both men home early, 
declaring she and Miss Endicott could not afford to lose 
their beauty sleep. 

They were busy enough the next day, preparing, and 
adorning the rooms. Mr. Dudley brought in some 
branches of sumach, and clusters of scarlet maple-leaves. 
The weather was still warm ; and the evening promised to 
be exceptionally fine. The band came, and was stationed 
on the balcony. The rooms were all thrown open; the 
guests began to assemble with most cordial greetings. 
Colored lanterns had been hung around, giving the house 
quite a gala appearance. 

George Van Alstyne was in a most daring and bewil- 
dering mood. Mrs. Kinnard looked radiant to-night, and 
he meant to make her bestow a good deal of attention 
'^pon him , if he flirted desperately with Daisy Endicott to 
gain it. 

And Daisy? She, too, was touched cy the vague 
something in the atmosphere. A peculiar knowledge had 
come to hei’, like a blinding flash of light ; and it had not 
brought happiness. When she first came down, Arthur 
Dudley stood in the hall. He turned for one quick 
glance. 

Her soft white dress and white sash gave her a sugges- 
tive bridal look, relieved only by a knot of scarlet leaves 
in her hair, and another at her throat. The dewy eyes, 
the faint tint in the cheeks, the smiling, summer-ripe lips, 
and the fair, clear skin, made her beautiful as youtE 


226 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


health, and happiness only can. Oddly enough. Van A)* 
styne had chosen her attire. She was thinking of that 
Arthur Dudley thought, “ How fair she is ! the one woman 
in the world for me. Does she know, does she guess, that 
I love her? ” and then some fatal impetuosity lured him 
forward. He crossed the hall, took both hands in his, 
stooped and kissed her, and then would have given any 
thing to recall the hasty impulse. 

“ Forgive,’’ he murmured softly, entreatingly. 

She turned with a blushing face. Some one spoke in 
the hall above. There was a stir out of doors ; and she 
was glad to escape. 

There was no thi’ill of joy, rather a shiver of pain. 
And why? Last spring and smnmer she had liked him 
so much ! Had these ten weeks changed her feelings ? 
She was ignorant no longer. Her eyes were opened to 
that sweet mystery. 

“ But I cannot, cannot love him I” she cried to her- 
self despairingly ; and her whole being seemed tossed in 
a rebellion of unrest. 

The guests were coming. She flitted from one to an- 
other ; she welcomed with eyes that had never been so 
brilliant, in their agony of shame and pain. She must 
evade him, at any cost. Ah I here was a cool masterly 
voice. 

“ Come out and walk a little. Why, you are all flushed 
and heated : what have you been doing ? There is your 
sister and IVIi's. Glyndon to play hostess.” 

He led her down the steps. Nelly Kinnard saw it. 
Wbat words of his could have so excited the sunny, 
tranquil-hearted child. WTiere were they going ? 

“What or who are you looking for, Nelly?” asked 
her husband. 

“Not much of any thing,” she answered incoherently 
with a nervous laugh. 

The company gathered into little knots for talk, or to 


^ELLY KLNNARD’S KINGDOM. 22T 

look at engravings. Mrs. Gtyndon moved among them 
wi :h charming social tact and grace. 

“ i>o you know where Van Alstyne has gone?’ she 
asked suddenly of Nelly. 

A sudden accession of color overspread Nelly Kinnard's 
face, and her eyes drooped. 

“ Isn’t he in the hall somewhere?” 

There were two shrewd eyes watching her. It was so 
unusual to see her evade any thing. She gave a quick , 
startled glance around. Dr. Kinnard was talking with 
portly Mrs. Daventry : so she slipped away. Ten minutes 
afterward that handsome Van Alstyne was in her train. 
Had she known where he was ? 

They two kept up quite a brilliant circle until the dan- 
cing began. Van Alstyne hunted up Daisy for the first 
quadrille. To-night he really danced ; and it was a swift, 
beautiful tracery, winding in and out, cmwes, halts, steps, 
and swaying to and fro like some great shadowy bird. 
He let her go from him with a lingering glance ; and his 
outstretched hands welcomed her back, claimed her with a 
sweetness and tenderness doubly dangerous. Nelly saT\ 
it all. Did he love her? but no. It was amusement to 
him — what to her? 

Afterward he had Miss Maxwell for a partner; but 
Daisy was in the same quadrille. Then there was a gal 
lop with him. It seemed to Nelly as if she could not 
endure it. And in the pause she summoned him to her 
side agiin. Should she warn Daisy? Well, of what? 
Tnese other girls plainly put themselves in his way : she 
did not. Oh if the evening would come to an end I 

There was another round of dancing, then supper, one 
of Mrs. Glyndon’s elegant little feasts, with the first- 
fruits of the season, — luscious peaches, grapes in frosty 
purple bloom, pears in yellow with satin-smooth skins, oi 
in russet crimson. Van Alstyne did his part well here. 

Talking, promenading, and dancing. Gay little laughs 


228 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


bright faces, soft voices, entrancing moonlight, and that 
stirring, passionate music that touched some chord in 
every heart, — a pretty, bewildering scene. 

Dr. Kinnard missed his wife, and walked slowly down 
the balcony steps. He was rather proud of the admira- 
tion she had won, only — 

Yonder in the path were two people, — Daisy and Mr. 
Maxwell. They came up slowly, and passed him. Two 
more were lingering behind, talking earnestly. Could it 
be? Yes, Nelly and that audacious gallant. 

Dr. Kinnard stood quite still in a tempest of passion 
that sent his blood to white-heat. He had never before 
been jealous of a woman in the ordinary sense. He had 
seen his first wife waltzing in the arms of other men ; and, 
though he had mildly disapproved, it had stirred no hot 
blood within him. But now there flashed over him a 
remembrance of Nelly’s almost electrical nervousness, 
her restless going to and fro, her apparent delight in, 
and almost eflbrt to gain. Van Alstjme’s society, her 
embarrassment at Mrs. Glyndon’s question, — a sudden, 
appalling, overwhelming flash, striking at and twisting 
his strength as lightning might an oak. All summer she 
had been here with that man, handsome and tempting as 
Lucifer himself — 

Some one passed him; then another step, a flutter- 
mg dress, a pause — he had sunk on a rustic seat some 
moments before. 

“O Barton!” 

Two soft arms were about his neck. He shook them 
off roughly. “Don’t!” he said in a hoarse, strained 
voice, rising. 

She stood before him. The movement had turned her 
toward the light while he was still in the shade. 

“O Barton!” she cried in sweet, piercing accents, 
“ what is it? ” 

For an instant longer, he writhed in the grasp of the 


NELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM. 


229 


foul fiend. Oh I he must believe in her, or life would not 
be worth the having. He knew then how a man could 
love ; he realized, too, that the strength of their bridal 
tenderness was but a pygmy to this giant. He studied 
her face with a fierce, hungry eagerness. Could one line 
of it be false or weak ? 

It was very pale now, the eyes with a piteous, fright* 
ened look, the lips quivering, the lines tense ; and she put 
out her hand in an uncertain way, as if groping about. 

He took her in his arms, and reseated himself. There 
was a moment of strange silence between them. 

“Nelly, do you remember our bridal day? If it were 
to be done over again ” — 

“Well, if it were,** and there was a tremulous, cry- 
ing sound in her voice — “ I should be glad only that I 
might give myself to you again.** 

He pressed her closer. Could he, dared he, doubt? He 
understood now the immeasurable power of loving that 
he possessed. He was not a naturally suspicious man ; 
but there was a certain degree of faithlesness in his 
temperament that had led him to question somewhat the 
entireness of the “ divine passion.** Not an hour through 
all this separation, but he had longed for her so earnestly, 
that, more than once, it had seemed quite impossible to do 
without her, even though important duties pressed him 
on every side. But his engrossing and single-hearted 
love demanded the same quality in return. Had she — 

“O Barton, Barton!** she cried with a strange 
anguish in her voice, “what is it? Tell me what I 
have done?** 

So entirely true had she been to him in her thoughts, 
that she did not even suspect what thus suddenly roused 
him. 

There was a quick revulsion of feeling on his part. 

“ I have been an old fool, Nelly,** he said with a grim 
sort of tremulousness in his voice. “Forgive me. It 
was all my own ** — 


230 


NELLY KENNARD'S KINGDOM. 


How could he confess his suspicion? 

A tremor ran through her frame. A glimmer of light 
dawned upon her. 

“ Barton, you did not think” — and there was a sort 
of hysterical tenderness in her tone, perhaps because she 
knew by that tight clasp how dear she was to him. 

“I am afraid I did, Nelly. Let us have the foul fiend 
out now, and then bury him forever. I know you love 
me. Good heavens! to doubt that would be to plunge 
me to unknown depths.” 

“Was it because I was there in the walk with Mr. 
Van Alstyne?” she asked with a certain breathless- 
ness. 

“Not altogether. I may as well confess wholly. 
Nelly, I never knew you to act an untruth, even. But 
to-night when Mrs. Glyndon asked about him — and then 
you found him in a little while. Don’t torment me, my 
darling, though I admit I deserve it. I know you can 
make a fair and straight story of it.” 

She was trembling violently now. It seemed almost 
cruel to ask her to speak. 

“ I will tell you just the truth. I did not know where 
he was ; but I felt that he was with Daisy. Barton, I 
have come to think him a dangerous man for a young 
girl, or a woman who had no safeguard,” and she paused 
to kiss him impulsively. “ It is only lately that he has 
appeared to be specially interested in Daisy.” 

“ I see it all, my dear, dear wife ! How horribly 
unjust of me I What shall I do to make amends? Nelly, 
you must know how much you are to me, when ’ ’ — 

Perhaps she liked him none the less for his quick and 
jealous regard. She almost smiled now, and gave him 
a tender little caress that quite assured him of nei 
forgiveness. 

“And Daisy? But you don’t think — why, Dudley 
cares for her, I know ; and I hoped ” — 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


23 : 


“I trust Daisy does not care for him. It would be 
quite useless/* with a great tremble in her voice. 
“Neither do I think this is love on his part.** 

“ And has Mrs. Glyndon no more sense than > give 
that handsome and fascinating fellow the run of the 
house ? * ’ asked the doctor with much warmth. 

“ Mrs. Glyndon has managed beautifully. If you had 
been here, you would have given her credit for unbounded 
wisdom. She put him in his proper place, a society-man, 
who liked amusement, and was not of the marrying kind. 
While Miss Howe*s party was here, there were several 
brilliant women, and every thing appeared so different I 
It has only been lately; and to-night he is like one 
bewitched. I felt that I must save her. We are going 
back so soon I ** 

“ My darling, yes. I thank you for your truth and 
simplicity. I may be hasty and passionate, Nelly, when 
something rouses me beyond reason and judgment ; but 
my faith in you is perfect fo’’ all time to come. Still I 
shall not forget that you might have married a younger 
and more attractive man ; and that God means, in so bright 
and brief a season as youth, that one shall see things 
with enchanted eyes. I want to make you very, very 
happy : I may blunder in it at times ; but it is my heart*s 
desire.** 

“ It is not all on your side,’* she replied quickly. “ I 
have something to give and to do. And there will always 
be perfect confidence between us.** 

It was very sweet to think of, such confidence ; not 
the mere gossip of every-day affairs, but the true magnet 
that attracted the higher nobility of love, the finest per- 
ceptions of spiritual as well as ordinary life, sympathies, 
tenderness, and mutual regard to the one grand centre. 

She had needed him so much, that she would gladly 
have staid until the last light was out ; but his practical 
mood recalled him presently. 


232 


NELLY KINNAED'S KINGDOM. 


“ Had we not better return? ** he asked in a half-regret 
ful tone. “I suppose it is a crime against modem 
manners to make love to your own wife, while the state 
of modem ethics does not prohibit making love to youi 
neighbor’s ; ” and he gave a dry, humorous laugh. 

“We must, indeed ; ” and she rose. 

The tide of enjoyment had begun to wane a little, or 
taken on a quieter tone. Groups were listening to the 
music now, with a pleased, languid air. Some one said, 
“ O Mrs. Kinnard ! ” and she turned. Mr. Van Alstyne 
was talking to Miss Daventry, and there were half a 
dozen others around. 

She stood there beside her husband in her glowing and 
serene womanhood, larger than any pure girl-life could 
be, no matter how beautiful. She was proud of his man- 
liness, his strength, his simple justice, and, oh ! above all, 
of his deep, underlying love. It never could fail or for- 
sake, or grow exacting, through any narrowness. And 
Van Alstyne understood then the secret of her gracious- 
ness, the good companionship that could entertain a 
friend apart from any personal attraction, any exercise 
of self-love. A whole lifetime of the rarest and most 
delicate flattery would not cause her allegiance to waver. 
He understood then that she loved her husband as 
women seldom do, not a mere negative trust because they 
have found no strong comparison or temptation, neither 
the shallow engrossment of sentimental fondness ; for she 
had been tried, and escaped quite scathless. He could 
not recall one smile ; he had never even ventured to Mss 
her hand. Always she had been hedged around with 
that halo better than propriety, — the sacredness of 
love. 

I ought to say it touched him and moved him deeply, 
and turned his wavering fondness toward Daisy Endicott, 
who would be hardly less to her husband. But the man 
was too innately selfish foi any good impression to last 


NELLY KINNAKD’S KINGDOM, 


23 ^ 


long. As his wife, a woman of Daisy Endicott’s tem- 
perament .would have died, in a few years, of mental 
atrophy. He would have absorbed all, and given nothing 
back, but kept himself for the world, society. 


CHAPTER XIX. 


** How given for nought her priceless gift. 

How spoiled the bread, and spilled the wine! 

Which, spent with due respective thrift, 

Had made all lives alike divine.’^ 

The evening was not to close without another unpor 
tant incident. 

Since his unlucky half-confession, Mr. Dudley had 
hesitated to encounter Daisy, although he felt that some 
explanation and apology were due her. He could not 
believe that he had entirely ruined his cause by his pre- 
cipitancy. There had been a simple, girlish charm in 
Daisy’s frankness through the earlier part of their 
acquaintance. He had treasured up many a little episode, 
and dreamed over it for the last two months. 

The rides and rambles they had taken together, the 
times he had come upon her suddenly, ministering in Mrs. 
Kinnard’s stead to some of her poor parishioners, the 
chapel improvements they had discussed, the books and 
pictures they both liked, the pleasant temper (he had seen 
it tried a little), the inspiriting sunniness that would 
brighten a house so delightfully. Unconsciously, perhaps, 
one of the charms that rendered Dr. Kinnard’s hospitality 
so beguiling was the fact that the house was still filled 
with her presence. He had watched her bending over 
this couch where Bertie had lain, her face full of genuine 
sympathy and hopefulness. Here the small, graceful 
figure had been half lost in a great easy-chair, suggest* 
ively large enough for two. Over opposite, she had sung 

28 ft 


NELLY KINNAED’’S KINGDOM. 235 

through dreamy twilights, sweet low songs, tender, plain 
tive h}Tnns, that were enough of themselves to draw souls 
to Christ. 

It would be worth one’s while to strive for such a 
woman. How invaluable she would be in parish wcrk 
with her ready kindness and homelike graces ! How 
doubly dear by the fireside, when the waves of the trou- 
blesome world ran high, the sweet cheer and adaptiveness 
of her temperament soothing, adjusting, bringing bit by 
bit out of the golden ti’easury of the soul, that one might 
not be overwhelmed, or afraid to choose, or, on the other 
hand, stinted in any thing ! 

Yet he was not the sort of man to dream listlessly 
about love. When he felt the august power penetrating 
every pulse with its subtle vitality, when he realized how 
much fuller and more blessed life would be with her at 
his side, he confessed the truth simply to himself, and 
resolved to win her. He did not think much about his 
poverty, since he had youth and health. God would send 
labor and wages in the right time. From her mother she 
must have learned the cares and rewards of such a life, — 
the struggles and bits of rare pleasure, the toil and rest, 
the pain and joy following, and lapping over into one 
another like the seasons of the year, and of the going-on 
to riper days, leaving youth behind, yet not growing old, 
and of the kingdom of heaven from within. 

So he went over to Severn Point prepared to ask her, 
expecting to come back a happy man, with a lovely house- 
hold vision before him, — the holy duty of caring for her, 
of smoothing rough ways, of sheltering in his strong 
arms, of ministering to, and of receiving in turn, of 
rounding, satisf3dng, and slipping into rest and peace 
together. 

They welcomed him so cordially into their midst I they 
brought out their olden pleasures, not grown trite with 
repetition. She was changed, in some way, — ’become 


236 


NELLY KINNARD’s KINGDOM. 


larger and richer, it seemed, with an ease and culture 
that served to make her more beguiling, not better worth 
the winning : that could never be in his thought of her. 

He hardly disturbed himself about Van Alstyne. He 
had taken the man at his true estimate, as he had Daisy 
Endicott. He could see her on all sides, outwardly, and 
judged her with a more generous understanding than a 
narrower-minded man could have done. And he knew 
now how deep and fervent a reality his love was. 

When she came down stairs so fresh and simply sweet, 
her face aglow with the radiance of youth and pleasure, 
propriety was swept away. He forgot the things he had 
dreamed over so often might be quite new to her, and 
took her in his arms with that spontaneous outburst of 
love, capable of making them one indeed, had their 
hearts beat in unison, — the caress that would have told 
all without a word. 

He could not decide whether her strange, shy emotion, 
and her evasion of him all the evening, was displeasure, 
or delicacy. He was ready to blame himself with every 
breath ; yet it had been so sweet to hold her there, even 
for that brief moment, that lie could hardly regret. 

But he felt there must be an explanation before he left, 
an apology for so disturbing the tranquillity of her girl- 
heart. He waited half-breathlessly, watching her as she 
flitted here and there, and struck by a strange sense of 
loss whenever she was out of his sight. 

The guests began to disperse with cordial good-nights 
and many expressions of enjo^unent. Some one was 
going now ; and Daisy ran down to the walk for a last 
word or two. She surely would not be needed for a few 
moments. He picked up her shawl, — he knew it by the 
^eecy, pale-blue border, — came down, and, folding it 
about her, said quickly, — 

“ May I detain you. Miss Endicott? ** 

The suddenness and certain air of authority took hei 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


237 


iO by surprise, that she had hardly time to start and 
tremble, before he resumed, — 

“ I want to ask your pardon for my rudeness early in 
the evening. But you must know what it meant, — that I 
love you, that I have loved and dreamed about you ever 
since you left Edgerly. The depth and force of my 
feeling swept me over the boundaries of propriety ; but 1 
am ready to answer for my daring — 

“ Oh I she interrupted with a sharp, sudden cry, out 
of which the joy had gone. 

He stood still, catching at his own breath, bewildered, 
and quite at sea. Then he turned her round, and studied 
her face with feverish impatience, reading something 
more than mere surprise, — terror. 

“Have I spoken too soon? Forgive me. I fancied 
you must know ; for no man of honor could offer such a 
caress to a woman without — 

She saw it all in a blinding flash, — the love that lay at 
her feet. Two months ago, she might have answered 
him to his happiness. Why not now ? What had come 
between ? 

In the same glare she saw another man. K he stood 
speaking, if his hand were on her arm, there would be 
a consenting tenderness instead of repulsion, a great joy 
instead of trembling pain and regret. Even now her 
cheek burned with shame at the remembrance of the kiss 
wherewith he had expressed his love. An overwhelming 
flood seemed almost to sweep her away from any secure 
mooring. 

“Oh, if you had not spoken! if you would take it 
back — forget it 1 ” she cried in passionate anguish. 

He studied her face of pain and dismay. A brave 
man was Arthur Dudley ; but this was like being swept 
from the spar on which he had meant to float to a prom- 
ised haven. There was nothing else at hand: he had 
trusted the life of his affection to that. Still, if he must 


238 


NELLY KENNARD’S KINGDOM. 


go down, it should be bravely, not with any cowardly 
clinging to a woman’s pity. 

“Then you do not love me?” His incisive tone 
seemed to cleave the summer air, and let in a waft of 
aix^tic coldness. 

“I ” — she covered her face with her hands. It filled 
him with infinite sorrow as she swayed to and fro. “ I 
am so sorry ! ” — in the humblest of tones. “ I did not 
mean to mislead any one. Oh I what have I done? ” 

Her distress was so deep and genuine, that he was sin- 
cerely moved. 

“ My dear child,” he said with all the comfort he could 
put in his voice, “ it was nothing you did with any pur- 
pose. God gave you the lovely graces of womanhood, 
and you have not overlaid them with any false or meretri- 
cious ornament. It was my misfortune to see and to 
desue. But I am a man, and not blind, which must be 
my excuse. I see that I have surprised you greatly; 
but, Daisy, when you come to understand and realize 
how deep and ardent my regard surely is, may you not 
learn” — 

“ No, no I do not think of that I ” and she wrung her 
hands with vague apprehension. “ Not but what you are 
noble enough for any woman’s love, only it would be 
cruel to — to hold out a hope that could come to noth- 
ing;” and she shivered as if in a midnight blast. “I 
am so sorry I Oh, let me go back to the house ! They 
will wonder ” — 

“ Tranquillize yourself a little ; remember that you will 
always have in me a friend.” Yet he paused to wonder 
if he could be friend again. He led her back to the 
house, and lingered outside while she mounted the steps 
wearily, his heart aching to assist her with his strong, 
fond clasp ; but his delicacy assuring him tliat she would 
rather enter alone. 

If he had spoken before they came to Severn Point 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


239 


would it have been any better? She certainly had liked 
him then, given him a shy, pleased preference. He felt 
bewildered, pained, incredulous. There must be some 
mistake, surely. He would watch her to-morrow, and for 
days to come ; and if he saw a sign of relenting, such as 
she must make if she felt she had been Dver-hasty, he 
would speak again. He possessed a rare quality of both 
patience and hope. 

The guests had all dispersed when he went in. Mrs. 
Glyndon and IVIrs. Kinnard were talldng the evening 
over, after the manner of women. He said a quiet good- 
night, and then, as if bethinldng himself, left one for 
Miss Endicott. 

They were all tired, and glad to go to bed. Once in 
her own room, Daisy closed the door, and looked 
around in wild aflEright, as if she was always to be haunted 
by some distrustful phantom. She shrank from it with 
pain and dread. There came a piteous look into her 
eyes, a quivering about the tender mouth. Even now 
she could give it no name ; but she felt what might have 
been the blissful perfection that could have rounded her 
life, but, instead, had left it flawed, roughened, scathed 
as if by lightning. With a sad prescience that had in it 
none of the delightful suggestions of hope, she looked 
into the dreary future, — a long life, perhaps, shorn of its 
keenest joy. And she could have worshipped so wholly I 

After a restless night, she woke, at last, with a severe 
headache. Breakfast was late. There were no rigid 
rules in the household on this subject. Dr. Kinnard had 
taken Bertie out to ride before she came down. 

‘‘ You do look really fagged out ! cried Mrs. Glyndon. 
‘‘And you were so bright and fresh yesterday I I am 
glad of that, for obviously se^iish reasons. Never mind : 
after the feast, crumbs, of course. Let me give you a cup 
of tea, and then you had better go back to bed. There is 
tire rowing to Golden Rock this afternoon, you know.^’ 


240 


NELLY KINNARD’s KINGDOM. 


She should not go, she nad resolved upon that ; but 
she was extremely glad of a reasonable excuse for soli- 
vude. Dr. Kinnard teased her a little at noon, but 
desisted, when he saw that it really pained her. 

“ You had better stay at home, and be quiet,’’ he said 
kindly. “ You have had so many pleasures, that it will 
be no great trial to relinquish this.” 

“ No,” she answered with a tremulous smile, glad to 
be left with no further comment. For Arthur Dudley 
was to be of the rowing-party, oarsman, in fact ; and sh® 
could not meet him just yet. 

She lay on the sofa the whole long afternoon, in a 
mood of the most painful and bewildering uncertainty, 
revolving the endless tangle, and wondering what could 
be the conclusion, dreading it with great pangs of appre- 
hension. 

Just at dusk, the beU rang. She had been in a half- 
doze, and did net catch the inquiry, but heard the last of 
Susan’s answer, — “ and Miss Endicott is in bed, I be- 
lieve, with a bad headache. Shall I speak to her? ” 

“ No ; don’t disturb her. I will drop in to-morrow. 
Partings are the order of the day now ; and I shall be off 
in a day or two. Give them all my compliments.” 

A great pang of agony and pain surged over Daisy 
Endicott. She buried her face in the pUlow, — her shrink- 
ing, crimson face, into which the sound of that voice 
brought the blazing light of her secret. How had she come 
tc love him (for it was that : she could not conceal it from 
herself), and there had never been any hope, from the 
first ? Ah, she had not selfishly thought of that. It had 
been so delightful! — the low tones, the changeful and 
tender lights in the eyes (false lights to lure the unwary) , 
the bits and fragments of sentences meant for her alone. 
And last evening — why, it seemed as if he had almost 
said — ah, almost ^ he had never meant to say it quite 
And she had not thought there could be danger. 


NELLY KTNNAED’B KINGDOM. 


241 


To-da^ he had come and gone, not caring to see her ^ 
jind in a daj or two he would go forever. Oh I how could 
slie endure that bitter parting, the awful sense of loss ? 
If she could see him occasionally, if there could still be 
some delightful hours of friendship. She would not ask 
any greater love. She had not sufficient charm to fill the 
whole life of such a man. If she had been made beautiful 
as Nelly ; for he had been very strongly attracted toward 
her, that she had seen. 

But her plain, modest life had in it no bewildering 
grace, either to gain such a prize, or to comfort iii this 
hour of bitter loss and self-abasement. Some women 
would have fought fiercely with fate : she only accepted 
despair. The desolation must come upon her, must be 
borne. She was none the less Daisy Endicott. She had 
sisterly, daughterly, and friendly ties and duties in this 
world, and they must be met bravely. She could not 
confess to any one how she had been met and vanquished 
in the very outset of life ; perhaps weakly, for she had 
been warned. 

She rose, then, bathed her face, brushed out her soft, 
shining hair, put on a white dress and bit of cherry ribbon. 
Outwardly she was to be the same to every one. Then 
the family returned, and she went down, glad to have 
something to do, — to take up her burthen right away. 

Arthur Dudley had been a trifle grave all the afternoon, 
though the short excursion proved a decided success. 
But he declined their friendly solicitations to come home 
and take a cup of tea. 

“ I am absolutely going to bed T/ith the chickens,” he 
declared gayly. “ I hope you will find Miss Endicott 
better. To-morrow I shall give myself the pleasure of 
your hospitality, Mrs. Glyndon. — Bertie, don^t you be' 
lieve you could talce me out drmng? ” 

“ Oh ! couldn't I, papa? ” exclaimed the child eagerly 

Mamma lets me drive.'' 

21 


242 


NBLLY KINNABD'S KINGDOM, 


“ I think so.” 

Bertie came home, elated with, his project. After « 
quiet meal, there was a little talking of the coming dis- 
persion. 

“ I must go back on Tuesday, at the latest,” said Dr. 
Kinnard. “Can you get all packed up on Monday, 
Nelly?” 

“ Oh, yes I ” was the ready reply. 

“ Then we have two more days to devote to pleasure, 
Simda}’ to rest ” — 

“And Monday to a general disturbance of the spheres,” 
interrupted Mrs. Glyndon merrily. “ Well, we have had 
a bright, pleasant summer. Mrs. Kinnard has gone back 
to the enchantment of eighteen. Bertie has entirely 
recovered; don’t you think so, doctor? Daisy seems to 
have had a young girl’s good time; and I have been 
happy as a queen. We have lived together eleven weeks 
without quarrelling — what do you say to that for women’s 
tempers? ” 

“ Pretty good ; pretty good I ” and the doctor laughed. 

Two more days of pleasure I It rang in Daisy’s ears 
like the saddest knell. 

Mr. Dudley came over the next morning, and went out 
with Bertie. Then Mrs. Glyndon kept him to dinner. 
Two ladies had dropped in also. Daisy’s avoidance of 
him was not marked : he made it very easy for her. 

Then, late in the afternoon. Van Alstyne made his 
appearance, with his usual jaunty, elegant ease. He 
made quite sure that the ladies were all at home ; for he 
did not mean to risk any special rencounter with Daisy. 
Such partings were awkward things. 

He had decided to go to Maine for a month, with a 
hunting-part}^, and was to leave to-mori’ow. 

“ I wonder if you will be in New York in the winter, 
Mrs. Gijmdon. One does have a chance to see you occa- 
sionally. And it may be that I shall stumble over you 


NELLY KINNARD’s KINGDOM. 


243 


all, somewhere, again: I shall hope so, at all events, 
We have had such a delightful summer ! ” 

He shook hands cordially with them all. Daisy ^s white 
fingers were cold and inert. He did not care to look into 
her eyes : the lids were downcast and tremulous. But he 
uttered the commonplaces of society over her with his 
serene and careless air ; and they were separated for all 
time. 

“I am afraid the little Endicott has been hit,” he 
mused. “ It wouldn't have done to go on for a day 
longer. However, I daresay Dudley will make it all 
right with her some day. By Jove ! she's just cut out for 
a minister's wife ; and she is a good little girl too. I'm 
glad I never did any thing more than kiss her hand. 
Van, my boy, you have withstood a good deal of tempta- 
tion." 

Saturday was marked by other partings. Sunday was 
lovely and tranquil, — a perfect day of rest, a golden life 
and glory in it, as if summer's richness just stood still, 
and ripened. Mr. Dudley took the service in the church ; 
and Daisy listened to his voice with a peculiar tender 
reverence, as if, having once hurt him so sorely, she must 
make it up to herself with another kind of worship. 

Then the packing, and the journey home, the mother 
welcome that had been promised Nelly, — a little awk- 
ward, with a sense of being unfamiliar, but pleasant in 
not sa,>ing or doing too much. 

“ And look at me, grandmamma 1 I am all well. I 
can run and jump ; and I've had a first-rate time. I'vt 
learned to drive ; and I am going to take you out seme 
day. Mamma says I can have her pony." 

All this with his arms around his grandmother's neck, 
where they had rarely been before. 

“ Why, Barton, how well he looks I And, I declare, he 
has grown quite pretty ; something as you used to look." 
And she held him otf to study him. 


244 


NELLY KTNNAED’S KINGDOM. 


“Yes,” said the doctor humorously: “my handsome 
days were in childhood, I believe.*’ 

They would fain have kept Daisy ; but she wanted to 
get home, and shut out all reminders of the summer. So 
the doctor took her over, and brought back saucy Queen 
Bess, who was tall and straight, and full of rippling, 
girlish beauty. Bertie was puzzled to decide which he 
liked the better. Bessie was so bright and funny. 

“ If only there were no Aunt Adelaide to come in like 
a dismal gray shadow ! ” thought Mistress Nelly Einnard. 


CHAPTER XX. 


I 


Bat on the fire bums, clear and still; 

The cankering sorrow dies ; 

The small wounds heal; the clouds are ent?, 

And through this shattered mortal tent 
Shine down the eternal skies, 

A ' HANQE had surely come over Mother Kimiard ; that 
Nelly saw presently. 

ShQ had been upheld in such a rigid way between Jane 
and Aunt Adelaide I We borrow more easily some influ- 
ence or manner of our neighbor than we are willing to 
believe ; and household frettings are so readily taken up : 
coldnesses and unkindnesses are grafts that flourish 
rapidly in a congenial sod. If we do not plant grain, 
weeds surely will grow : we see that all over. No inch 
of ground, no human soul, is utterly barren. 

She seemed to have grown older too. There were 
more wrinkles in her face, a little softness and quivering 
in her voice, a sort of uncertain air now and then, as if 
she was trying to remember what came next. 

She admitted to having been lonesome while the doctor 
was away ; but, for the rest, she had not enjoyed any 
thing so much since her own housekeeping days. Mary 
was such a treasure I “And I hope you’ll find every 
thing as you like it. I have tried to keep the house well 
aired and in order.” 

“It looks very bright and fresh, I am sure,” was 
Nelly’s reply. 

And now came disastrous tidings. With some blush- 
21* 24C 


246 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


ing hesitation, Mary announced to her mistress that she 
should be compelled to leave, as she was about to be 
married. 

“ IVe been veiy well satisfied, ma’am, and I hate to 
leave you and the doctor. I never thought I should gel 
along so well with — everybody. But you see, ma’am, 
this is an old afiair with Hemy. When we were both 
young, — I was the older by two 5"ears, — he took a great 
fancy about me. I couldn’t have married him then, any 
how. Mr. Berkman was just beginning to come, and I 
liked him ; and Henry seemed so very young at twent3% 
Well, his mother, she had word of it ; and she made a 
terrible time. There was a farm that she had her rights 
in; and she was a very unreasonable woman, high- 
tempered, and all that: so she declared Hemy’' should 
never bring home a wife ; and he couldn’t go away, 
because there was no one else to till the farm. It didn’t 
make any difference to me, you see ; and yet I felt very 
sorry for him. So she just grew queerer and crosser, and, 
finally, wouldn’t let any but very old women come into 
the house. He was a good son to her, better than many 
a man, I’m thinking. Well, last May she died. Henry 
came to see me soon after you had gone away. It was 
a kind of first love, you see ; what with his mother being 
so cranky, it had never been quite taken out of his mind. 
He’s a good, clever, steady man ; has a nice farm ; and 
the old lady was a master hand to save, and make bed- 
ding. The house is full of furniture, and he’s fond of 
little Katy. I’m sure I hope we’ll have some children 
of our own : it would be such a joy to him. So I think, 
ma’am, it’s too good to let slip, since I do like liim very 
much, and can make him happy.” 

Mary looked up blushingly at the end of her con- 
fession. 

I cannot blame you,” rejoined Nelly, “ though I am 
very sorry to lose you ; and I hope you will be happy 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


247 


At all events , Henry will get a good wife. "WTien will 
you want to leave? ** 

“Just as soon as you can spare me, ma’am. I told 
aim I wouldn’t be later than the first of October.” 

Nelly gave a sigh. 

“ If it wasn’t for this, I’d stay always with you,” said 
the faithful creature. “ And if the farm wasn’t so far — 
it’s about a mile the other side of Kelly’s Falls.” 

“ And 3^ou will have your hands full,” said Mrs. Kinnard 
with a smile, that she had some ado to make cheerful. 

“I supposed as much,” was the doctor’s comment, 
when he heard it. “Henry Kline has been coming 
steadily all summer. Well, it’s tne way of the worlds 
I set a bad example myself: so I cannot complain.” 
And he smiled humorously. 

Aunt Adelaide would be home the last of the month ; 
she trusted all danger of the fever would be over, as she 
could not think of exposing Maud to it. Bertie recom- 
menced school, though his father exercised a careful 
supervision over him. The fall cleaning and changes 
were attended to; the flowers put in train for winter 
blooming; and Nelly was as busy as a bee. Bess was 
bright and helpful, and a great comfort. 

And then fell upon Nelly the first real sorrow of her 
life, so far. Rose’s baby, that almost marvellous embodi- 
ment of infantile' grace, beauty, and sweetness, sickened 
and died. Its short week of illness had not prepared any 
one for the loss : it did not seem, indeed, as if he could 
die. So Nelly went to her for a few days. 

A month before, Mrs. Whitcomb had gone to Europe 
with a dear invalid friend. Rose and Stephen had given 
a rather sad but not unwilling assent. Surely Mrs. Whit- 
comb had earned this pleasure. 

Daisy was to remain, and help her bear the pain and 
anguish. The fii’st death in their little circle, the loveli- 
est flower of all. Dr. Kinnard was profoundly stirred. 


248 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM* 


“ I really believe 1 have coveted that baby, Nelly/' h« 
said in a tone of deep emotion that thrilled her strangely. 

But she had to return home. Here was Aunt Adelaide 
and Maud, — the first severely consequential ; the latter, a 
good deal improved, but with many airs of fine ladyism. 
Nelly’s heart sank within her. The pleasantness of life 
seemed suddenly dimmed. 

Bertie’s sleeping-room had been changed to one at the 
head of the hall, taking him quite out of his aunt’s care. 
She treated him. with a lofty contempt, and took every 
occasion to snub him. Mother Kinnard’s half-defection 
angered her secretly. She was compelled to admit that 
she could no longer be prime mover of the forces. But 
there were many ways to annoy “my brother-in-law’s 
second wife,” as she usually termed her; and none more 
eflective than an almost insulting deference when visitors 
were present, indicating that she was in the house merely 
on sufferance, because related to the children. 

And then began another great perplexity. Mrs. Berk- 
man was married, and went to her new home ; but her 
successor found it “so lonesome of evenings,” and 
wanted to go farther in town. There followed a list of 
incapables. The once tidy kitchen was a scene of dis- 
order. Meals were irregular and half cooked, unless Nelly 
supervised every thing. The ironing dragged around all 
the week. One great brawny Irishwoman found the work 
so hard she couldn’t stand it : “ she woodent worruk her 
fingers to the bone for any one, that she woodent I ” 

Jane Ferris heard of it with peculiar delight. Mrs. 
Kinnard’s good fortune had been a personal affront to 
her. 

“ I said they’d see ! ” and she tossed her head with 
emphasis. “ But I’d never go back for a soul of them, 
save the doctor. I’ve seen ladies enough in my day to 
tell the genuine article when I do meet with it.” 

However, no one asked Jane to come back. Mat was 


NELLY KINNARD'S KINGDOM. 


24 £ 


almost as good as a girl to his young mistress, and ver} 
helpful. She gave up her rides, her books, her music, hei 
village calling, and tried her best to fight it through. If 
she had only been alone, or if Mother Kinnard had fought; 
with her! But that lady held secret sessions with the 
enemy, that were detrimental to a firm faith in he? 
daughter-in-law. 

How hard Nelly Kinnard worked ail this time to keep 
her temper, and her pleasant household weys, no one but 
Him who seeth in secret knew. There were days when 
heart and mind and hands were so overtasked, that her 
husband’s voice almost failed to charm ; nights when she 
laid her throbbing temples on the pillow, and cried softly, 
so that he might not hear, out of pure weariness and 
discouragement. 

It came to an end just after the holidays, in the person 
of a rather stolid German, who had been well trained, and 
was exceedingly good natured, though rather slow. But 
poor Nelly had not reached any promised land yet. Mrs. 
Kinnard was taken ill with fever and rheumatism ; and, 
from that time until spring, there was nursing and amus 
ing. Yet out of this came an abundant reward. She 
conquered here a lasting peace. Feeble, querulous, and 
oftentimes tiresome ; yet the elder woman learned to love 
and appreciate her son’s wife, to give her her due un- 
grudgingly. 

Had it not been worth striving for? Two years, and 
two souls brought into her kingdom. Youth and age 
bowing down in simple homage, watching her with longing, 
wistful eyes, bringing her some first-fruit of love, trying to 
make smooth ways for the often tired feet. 

Bertie paid his mother a chivalrous homage in spite of 
Aunt Adelaide’s sneers, and would have thrashed any boy 
of his size who dared to breathe a suspicion against step' 
mothers. Mr. Herrick considered him a promising pupil ; 
and he had become quite a companion to his father 


250 


NELLY KENNARD’S KINGDOM. 


Slow of thought in some matters, yet he had a quaint, 
droll quickness in others. He grew fonder of his grand 
mother, too, and was delighted when he was allowed to 
take her cut to drive. 

She had broken very much, and was quite an old lady. 
The rather massive chignon was discarded ; and Nelly used 
to make a pretty coil of braids (for her hair was still 
abundant) , and some becoming finger-puffs brought down 
on the somewhat too high forehead. A dainty little 
square of lace with a bit of purple ribbon, and a soft 
ruche around her neck, quite transformed her. She would 
always be tall, and rather severe looking ; but the dark 
eyes had softened a little, and the voice taken on a gentler 
chord in weakness. 

“I'm sure no daughter ever could be better," she 
would occasionally say to Nelly. “ I never thought to be 
beholden to any one ; but you have such a sweet way of 
doing favors, as if it was no trouble. But I know well 
enough a sick old woman is a burthen." 

“Don't say ‘beholden,"* and ihen Nelly gives her 
most beguiling smile. “It is such a hard, ungracious 
sort of a word. Am I not your daughter really, — Barton's 
wife?" 

“ Yes, my dear ; and I've come to see the day that I'm 
thankful. I don't believe he was ever very happy with 
Marj’, though I picked her out, and thought she would 
make a good wife. She was always sweet enough to. me ; 
but she had a terrible temper, and no pretty little ways 
toward him, as you have. And then I never can forgive 
myself, though it didn't do any harm ; but I wanted him 
to marry Adelaide, if he married at all. One does dread 
stepmothers for young children ; and I did not know any 
thing about you, except that you were a very young girl. 
But I am sure no one could have been tenderer toward 
Bertie ; and, if he wasn't so large, you would make people 
believe he was your own child. It was all for the best. 


NELLY KENNABD’s KINGDOM. 


251 


dear ; and I am sorry for the many times I must have 
pained you. You are quite sure you do not remember it 
against me? 

“Mother dear!’^ and kisses stop the garrulous, wrin- 
kled lips. 

“ If you had not a sweet, forgiving nature, my dear, it 
would come up every now and then. But I shall try to 
make you happy in my poor way. You see I have only 
been used to doing, not loving ; and to me it is like learn- 
ing new lessons. And I’m like Bertie. I sometimes 
forget when I don’t really mean to ; but your sweetness 
sets it all straight. There’s Barton’s carriage ; and you 
must run down to him. I can’t have my son defrauded 
of any happiness, Mrs. Kinnard *, ” and there is a twinkle 
in her eye that stops short of pure pleasantrj", because 
it meets with a tear. 

Such bits of confidence have become quite frequent. 
And, when Mrs. Kinnard is well enough to get down 
stairs, she finds a delightful easy-chair in her corner, and 
her own workstand, as if she might have left it yesterday. 
Then, across the opposite corner, a luxmious lounge, and 
on it a pretty Afghan that Nelly has found time to 
crotchet, to throw over one’s shoulders, if the room is 
chilly. 

“ It was such a bright thought of yours, Nelly, having 
this place altered,” says the mother. “The sun and 
the flowers make it so cheerful! And J. used to think 
flowers unhealthy, — the absurd idea! Why, the ve/y 
sight of them is cheering, and makes a perpetual summer. 
My dear, it’s because 3^ou have so much summer in your 
heart, I think, that 3’’Our ideas are all so bright.” 

“ Halloo ! ” cries the doctor with a genial laugh, as he 
comes in, and finds Bertie reading Kingsley’s grand old 
tairy- tales aloud. “Why, this is quite a grandmother’s 
corner, isn’t it? I do believe mamma likes it better than 
she does my ‘den.’ I am quite jealous.” 


252 


NELLY KENNAED’S KINGDOM. 


“ The old lady has failed very much,*’ says Miss Grrove 
as she goes around making calls, stiffer and colder than 
ever. “ She has grown absolutely childish ; and Bertie 
will be good for nothing at all, she indulges him so. That 
child doesn’t know as much as he did when his father first 
put him in school. He spends his time reading all kinds 
of nonsense. I always shall believe that novels and such 
things are very detrimental to any child. But, if they 
ruin him now, it cannot be helped : he is quite out of my 
hands. It is enough to make my poor sister turn in her 
grave.*’ 

Mrs. Woodbury comes to spend the day with the child- 
ish old lady, and finds her very companionable indeed ; 
quite agrees with her as to the virtues of “ my son’s wife.” 

Rachel keeps the kitchen tidy, and sings at her work. 
Household matters go on smoothly ; and Nelly is out once 
more, riding beside her husband, and receiving friendly 
greetings. And then she thinks how little she has seen 
of Mr. Dudley this winter. She has had the sewing- 
society, and one or two business-meetings of church- 
women to consider ways and means ; for the chapel is 
getting over-crowded : but the good companionship of a 
year ago has vanished. She speaks of it now. 

“Oh I that reminds me to mention — well. I’ll drive you 
around to see it,” begins the doctor, rather disconnectedly. 
But Nelly knows his sentences always join somewhere. 
“You know the Warners, — the new people who bought 
out the Chatham Mills? Mr. James Warner has gone in 
heavt and hand with Dudley, and has offered him ground 
enough for a church and rectory, if he will build both.” 

“ Why, that is magnificent I ” 

“ Yes ; down Arlington Avenue — the new end. It is a 
beautiful location. Dudley told me yesterday; but it 
went out of my mind. There has been something just a 
little queer about him. “ Nelly, did you ever think ” — 
And the doctor falls into a very brown study. 


NELLY KINNABD’s KINGDOM. 


253 


♦‘Think what? ** and her soft voice rouses him. 

“ That Daisy — well, I cannot make it quite clear in my 
mind. He was in love with Daisy last summer, if ever 
man was in love at all. Whether he asked her, or whether 
she made it clear without asking, as some women can, 
anyiiow, I know he was quite down-hearted in the winter. 
And the other day I joked him about the rectory. His 
face flushed a moment ; then there came in it such a look 
of intense pain, that I could have bit my tongue for 
punishment. I had really set my heart on it. But Daisy 
went off to stay with Rose, you know ; and something 
surely has happened between them.” 

Nelly looks grave. Daisy has shown very little dis- 
position to come to Edgerly this spring. She has a new 
seriousness in her face, that appeared flrst during Rose’s 
sore trouble: perhaps some experience of her own is 
blended with it. 

“ So the church is to be built?” says Nelly, trying to 
shake off a sense of pain that makes a discordance in the 
heavenly spring-air. 

“ There is to be a vestry-meeting next week, when the 
matter will come up. Oh I of course, it is as good as 
settled ; and Dudley is just the man to carry it through. 
There, here is the spot I When West Street is cut through, 
it will be on the corner. The rectory will stand here at 
the south side. In time, the property will be veiy valu 
able ; and it is a nice neighborhood already.” 

“ I am so glad and grateful I ” 

“ If you would like to subscribe a hundred dollars. 
Nelly, — I thought we might each be put down for that, 
— and, if they get hard up next year, we might help them 
out a little then,” 

O Barton, how good you are!” and the tears are 
shining in her eyes ; for her heart is very tender, thinking 
of Rose and Daisy. 

“I want to be good to you, little woman,” he says 
22 


254 


NELLY KTNNARD’S KINGDOM. 


almost gruffly ; and then makes a pretence of clearing his 
throat. 

A long while after, he breaks the silence with, “ J 
can't get over it, Nelly. I have been so happy (thanks 
to your sweetness and patience) , that I want Dudley to 
have a draught out of the same cup. Daisy and he would 
suit each other admirably. If they could only see and 
understand." 

‘•It may not be quite as you think," she says tremu- 
lously. But, oh I in her heart she is afraid of something 
sadder still behind it all, — something that comes just 
like a flash, and opens her long blind eyes. 

They ride home in the soft spring twilight, winding in 
and out by the same river as when he brought her home a 
bride. The trees are in their first young greenish brown 
leaves and buds, the spruce and firs odorous, the meadows 
looking fit for fairy-rings. A blessedness springs up in 
the high places of their being : the flow of the river brings 
a great peace, a tenderness, a unison of heart and soul. 
To him it was a type of their close and peaceful affection ; 
to her came a deeper thought, — a remembrance of the 
river that made glad the City of Gk)d. Would they both 
wander there ? 


CHAPTEB XVn. 


“Oh the little more; and how much It is! 

And the little less, and what worlds away!'* 

Circumstances had befriended both Daisy and Mr. 
Dudley in the concealment of their unfortunate episode. 
That Daisy should be a little tired and grave was not 
wondered at when she reached home. Mrs. Endicott 
never worried at her girls for any confidence or confes- 
sion. K there was any thing to tell, it came sooner or 
later. 

After a day or two, she exerted herself to talk about the 
many delightful events of the summer, — Mrs. Glyndon’s 
perfect friendliness. Miss Howe’s quaint originality. Miss 
Graham’s beautiful voice, the rides, walks, sails, and the 
pleasure-parties, that were so entertaining to Bess and 
Gertrude. When she once began, she found it a relief to 
herself. 

After the sad tidings, and her visit with Bose, no one 
questioned her right to a gentle sadness. 

But she had not given up weakly to despondency. 
She realized that she had made a great and painful mis- 
take. Her natural candor would not allow her to deceive 
herself. She had had a glimpse of a bewildering “ might 
have been ; ” and yet it was not for her. She Lad loved 
this handsome, fascinating man unwittingly. Perhaps she 
would not have been so hard upon her own weakness, if 
she had known how he had tried to stir her girlish soul, 
what careful siege he had laid to her sincere innocence. 

2IS5 


256 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


In the depths of her heart there was a hungry, unap- 
peased desire to hear his rich and tender voice, to catch a 
glimpse of his ardent eyes, and feel all her pulses thri!l 
and bound. There was such a wide, delicious possibility 
of love shown and withdrawn, like the blinding light we 
see when the heavens open. 

It was like a death to her. If she had been compelled 
to meet him frequently, she must have schooled herself to 
a certain tranquillity, and uprooted all remembrance ; 
rather it would have withered away for want of suste- 
nance. As it was, she made daily pilgrimages to a grave. 
She would not allow herself to weep over the grassy 
mound, nor plant the daisies of pathetic tenderness ; but 
still it was a grave, and in it lay something that had 
gone out of the world for her. God would give many 
other things in his own good time ; and she could wait. 

As for Arthur Dudley, he did not relinquish hope at 
once. It seemed to him that Daisy Endicott must belong 
to him some day, because she fitted so entirely into his 
life. He came home, and went to work with undismayed 
courage ; but, as the months passed, he began to think 
there was a positive avoidance on her part, and a great 
fear thrilled his soul with a shivering pain. Once he had 
exchanged with Mr. Endicc/tt while she was away. 

The certainty seemed to gather itself into a vital pang 
without any further asking. The thing he sc desired 
could not be. Instead of living in the very midst of 
breathless stillness and hope, he was in the outer ring of 
chaos. And he said then that he could not endure stay- 
ing l ight along with so many remembrances of her, and 
not her own sweet, guileless self ; that he must go away, 
and begin a new life. 

Go away like a fretful child, because God had set one 
thing out of his reach? Refuse the daily blessings, and 
turn them from the bread of life into stone? No : he, of 
all other men, had no right to do this. He was to gathet 


NELLY KINNARD’s KINGDOM. 


25 ? 


ap the grains from that exhaustless storehouse, God’ a 
divinely appointed ways, and inherit with that spirit 
apprehension other joys in the place of this one. 

So a new courage and manliness took possession of him. 
When the boats and bridges are burned at the river’s edge, 
the soldiers fight on : there is no retreat. Why should 
he be ashamed of loving a sweet, pure woman, even if 
she never came to gladden his life ? 

He threw himself heart and soul into his work, infused 
a new vigor and earnestness into every sermon, every 
prayer, even the reading of a hymn. People who had 
rather despised the small wayside chapel began to flock 
in ; and its straitness overflowed. Then came Mr. Warner 
with his generous offer. 

He had seen much less of the Kinnaids than usual. 
Mrs. Kinnard had been so kept at home ; and there was no 
reason why he should run out there every few days. But 
Dr. Kinnard’s cordial and unspoken sympathy was very 
sweet. A kind of brotherly nearness was growing up 
between the two men who were never to know the divinely 
appointed kinship of blood. Their temperaments were 
widely different. This broad-shouldered, deep-breathing 
man, with his intense vitality, his hobby of clean, strong 
bodies for pure and active souls, his free speaking, had a 
common-sense way of taking up the great problems of 
human life, that sometimes bordered almost upon irrever- 
ence. His half doubt of religion as it was commonly prac- 
tised, and his keen looking for fruit at the end of the season, 
were things with which he never disturbed Nelly. He used 
to admit to her that he had great faith in the Endicott 
religion, and smile to see her blush so distressfully. 

To Ai’thur Dudley, God was a living, ever-present 
reality. He had that calm serenity, the outgrowth of a 
generous faith, rather than severe spiritual exaltation, 
though he often found solace in those high regions of 
thought and devotion. Tp him, the ever-present spirit 
22 * 


258 


NELLY KENNARD’S KINGDOM. 


of love was nearest *, a childlike directness to accept the 
promises, to take what was offered, without question oi 
cavilling. He took the beautiful signs with thankfulness, 
and read the underlying meanings in the heart of the 
great Father. He was to sow with faith, nothing waver- 
ing : he was not to go outside the living pastures for 
strange gods or strange blossoms. But he did not make 
the bounds any narrower than they were set in tl e first 
instance. 

So Dr. Kinnard was drawn into the church-building 
project “for Nelly’s sake,” he said. Mr. Dudley found 
his strong, practical ideas of much importance. He even 
asked two or three of his richer patients, who were quite 
inaccessible to Mr. Dudley, to subscribe toward the 
building. 

“ It will really be an ornament to this end of the town ; 
and, the prettier it is, the more attractive it will be,” he 
would say with his shrewd, humorous smile. 

And then came summer, with its plans. Mrs. Ogden 
had one, and, with the new baby and the nurse, came to 
spend two or three days, and talk it over with Nelly. 
The new baby was a wee, sweet little girl. 

Miss Lucy Churchill had gone quietly to her appointed 
rest; but it had made a great difference to those left 
behind. Not even little Rose could fill up the gap. 

“ I think it is best for us to go away, and have some- 
thing quite different,” said Fan, — “something that will 
take us out of our old groove. Aunt Churchill spoke of 
Martha’s Vineyard; but that would bring back Luej 
everywhere. You were at the seaside last summer ; and 
you will want mountains this year. Mother, father, and 
Bessie and Edith, will join us. Louis Duncan, who is 
just in orders, you know, is coming to take papa’s place 
for a good long vacation. Isn’t it odd? — Louis is as 
much of a son to him as Stephen. Then Rose will come 
and stay with Daisy — poor Rose. I feel occasionally as 


NELLY KINNABD’s KINGDOM, 


269 


if I was taking what ought to go to the rest ; for it loes 
seem as if I had ever}^ thing, — quite enough to spoil me. 
So Winthrop decides for us. We are to stay right in 
the vicinity of the White Mountains, have a great roomy 
old-fashioned cottage and farm to ourselves, take our 
own servants, and keep house. Winthrop cannot spend 
all the time with us ; but there will be papa and Uncle 
Churchill. And now, Nelly, if you will cast in your lot, it 
will be just perfect.^* 

When Mother Kinnard added her fancy, it turned the 
scale. 

“ Why, yes,*’ said the doctor, “ I think you had better 
join, — you and Bertie and mother ; and I might get off 
a week or two when Ogden comes up. The plan is 
really splendid, Mrs. Ogden. And Nelly has had so 
* many household worries this 3"ear, that she needs a rest. 
She has nothing to keep her at home, either.” 

“Ought we not ask Aunt Adelaide and Maud?” said 
Nelly, when she was alone with her husband. 

“ It would be a daring piece of hypocrisy, little woman ' 
for you know 3"Ou do not want them. They would spoil 
your pleasure.” 

“Is it hypocritical to use every act of conciliation?” 
she returned with wistful eyes. 

“ I pray devoutly that thej^ will not care to go.” 

And they did not. Maud “ had seen the White Moun- 
tains, and thought a whole summer there would be 
stupid.” 

“ And we have enough of them the rest of the year,” 
was Aunt Adelaide’s scornful comment. “Your father 
is so taken with the Endicott tribe, that he forgets he ever 
had any other relatives. I did not think j^our poor mother 
would fade out of his mind so soon; but with a 

bitter emphasis, “ has worked for that end since the first 
day she entered the house. I hope she is satisfied. But 
there is not a bit of style to any of them.” 


260 


NEIAiY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


Fan*s visit was an unalloyed delight. She was 
bright and gladsome, so full of winning and gracious 
ways, infusing blessedness in every little stream that 
flowed out ; and there were many. And why not ? God 
had given her all things richly to enjoy ; and her father 
had taught her, among her flrst lessons, that she was to 
give as she had received. There was an exquisite girlish 
sweetness about her motherhood, something rare and fine, 
a little, perhaps, of the charm of her own mother. 

But the baby was hardly out of Nelly’s arms. Dr. 
Kinnard watched her with a strange, new emotion, as 
she hovered about it with sweet, caressing touches, or 
pressed the tiny pink-and-white face close to her own 
brilliant cheek, or smiled into eyes that were but half 
awake with a sense of living; the white robe clinging 
around her like a cloud, the soft coo and gurgle to which 
she gave an answering laugh, as soft in return. 

If — and two years of wedded life had gone by I 
Well, he had her ; and that was no little. She should 
never know but what his content was supreme, perfect. 

There was another bustle, and pleasant hurrjdngs to 
and fro, eager anticipations on Bertie’s part, and a sort 
of tremulous fear on grandmother’s. Miss Grove went 
about loftily. Maud aired her small pretensions when 
her father was not there : he was very apt to take the 
breeze of vanity out of them with a touch of humorous 
sarcasm, which she always imagined she owed to her 
stepmother’s influence.” 

The journey was rather tiresome, to be sure ; but the 
resting-place made amends for all, — situated in a valley 
(though that was high), with “the everlasting hills’’ 
above, around, at their very feet, even, speaking in 
tongues of grandeur, of peace, like a heavenly benedic- 
tion. Somehow, Nelly liked it better than the restless, 
shifting sea, with its blaze of molten glory, and dia- 
monded waves. And then she suddenly felt how much 
she needed rest. 


NELLY KINNABD’s KINGDOM. 261 

A household that might have been incongruous but for 
the kindly love permeating it, — IVIr. Churchill, still of the 
old school, with little courteous formalisms, that were 
akin to his low-tied shoes and his frilled bosom, an air of 
society before it had fallen into the free and easy ways 
of to-day; Mr. Endicott, with his gentle, half absent- 
minded demeanor, and quaint, rippling bits of speech, 
the same homelikeness out here on a grand rock as by 
the study fireside at home ; and three grandmothers, two 
who were, and one who “ might have been,’* going down 
to a serene, beautiful old age, more of a mother to her 
sister’s son than his own, and, to these three babies, a 
relative quite indescribable; (she almost rivalled Mrs 
Endicott ; for was not Fan really and truly hers, from 
morning till night, lent out, now and then, for visits, as 
she had once borrowed her in the old days ?) and then a 
“ big boy,” such a thing as the Endicotts had never pos- 
sessed before, past twelve, and at a very trying age. It 
often took all Nelly’s motherliness to restrain and guide, 
to keep him from teasing the little Ogdens, or leading 
them into danger, to make him courteous to his elders, to 
temper his frequent eflfusiveness. How much he did for 
love of her I 

“ Remember that you are to take good care of mam- 
ma,” had been his father’s parting injunction. 

At first Grandmother Kinnard was a little stiff, and 
bristled up with some of her long-ago society-polish, 
whose tone and color had been set again by Aunt Ade- 
laide ; but it wore away gradually, and she began to take 
a more thorough enjoyment than she had ever known in 
her life before. 

They were out among the farms. But a few miles 
distant were halting-places for larger parties, scattering 
hotels, boarding-houses, and wafts of patchouly and 
jockey-club to be stirred in with the scent of clover- 
blooms, freshly-cut grass, and the breezy odor of grow- 


262 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


mg trees. And there were excursions for one, two, 02 
three days, planned always by Fan in the most felicitous 
manner. She never had to stop to turn her money over, 
to see how far it would go. Up on the grand peaks, where 
one seems to get nearer the Infinite, to take great breaths 
of the feast prepared centuries beforehand, to read the 
writing that God's finger had traced in these signs of 
grandeur, a glory that quivered and duplicated itself in 
air and sky, that pulsed and trembled, reaching up and 
up, changing, undulating, widening, diminishing, brought 
close and revealed with an answering blessedness that 
entered the deep places of the soul. 

They were scrambling over the moss and lichened 
rocks one day, half listening to some gay voices at a little 
distance, half looking to their own ways, — three girls and 
their father, — when a sudden turn brought them together. 

“ O Mrs. Kinnard ! " cried some one. 

“ What an unlooked-for pleasure I" This voice was 
deep, rich, and familiar. 

It was Elsie Graham and Mr. Van Alstyne, with a 
background of other people. For a moment Mrs. Kin- 
nard was silent with astonishment. 

“ That we should stumble over one another here ! Is 
Mrs. Glyndon with you^ That would make it about even ; 
for we have some half-dozen Severn-point people at the 
hotel. Allow me to introduce my friends, Mrs. SherrarcU 
Mrs. Payne, Mr. Payne, Mr. St. John, Mr. Mallory.” 

Mrs. Kinnard recovered from her surprise, and intro 
duced her party, in turn. 

There was a general asking of questions. Where were 
they staying? What were they doing? And for aii 
summer? 

Mrs. Sherrard was a magnificent woman certainly. 
Mrs. Payne looked very plain beside her. But there was 
something, — too much of the hashing of silLs and dia 
monds, too much of her in every way, from the bold 


NELLY KINNARD’s KINGDOM. 


263 


black eye down to the shapely foot that made itself con- 
spicuous. 

They were all going up to the mountain-top. Both 
parties had brought lunch-baskets. 

“ So there is no law against our making a social time- 
of it” said Mr, Van Alstyne, beginning to conciliate 
Mi. Endicott at once. The rest paired off; but Nelly 
kept Bess close beside her. Miss Graham joined them ; 
and presently they fell a little behind. Mrs. Sherrard 
was laughing and sparkling with repartee. 

“Isn’t she just horrid!” exclaimed Miss Graham 
angrily. “ And yet, you can’t think, she has them all in 
her train, — ever^^body worth noticing. I don’t see how 
the men like her so I You can see she is making a dead 
set at Mr. Van Alstyne ; and I never saw him so — so” — 

There was a bright red flush on the young girl’s cheek, 
and a half-smothered Are in her eye. 

“Captivated?” appended Mrs. Kinnard at a venture. 

“ Well,” in a reluctant tone, — “ though I don’t really 
believe it. But at the hotel they predict it will make a 
match. She met him in the spring. She had just come 
from Europe, and had trunks full of elegant clothes ; and 
ever since then she has followed him up.” 

A troubled light crossed Nelly’s face. It pained hei 
to hear this young girl discussing these matters in such a 
tone She looked at Bessie in all her fairness and inno- 
cence, and wished that fate had not led them in this 
direction to-day. To change the conversation, she asked 
who of the past summer’s friends were at the hotel. 

“ The Daventrys, and that Miss Ashton and her mother. 
She is going on the stage in the fall, with an opera troupe. 
Isn’t it queer how we met? Mamma was so undecided 
about coming to the White Mountains ; and 1 almost 
wish” — 

There was a fretted look on the face that marred its 
youthful sweetness. It seemed such a pity. Had she, 


264 NELLY KINNAED'S KINGDOM. 

too, poor moth, been caught in the net that looked so 
smooth and shining when Van Alstyne shook it out before 
women’s faces? 

“ But it’s just royal everywhere,” declared Bessie. “ I 
feel as if I could not get enough of it ; ” and she drew a 
long, delicious breath. 

Miss Graham glanced at her sharply. Nelly noted the 
difference in the two faces, — one tired, and a trifle faded, 
with a little frown between the brows, and a sharp com- 
pression of the lips ; the other sweet, fresh, noble, and 
with the peculiar graciousness of a generous nature 
shining in it. And yet she, too, might sip some poisoned 
chalice. 

Presently Van Alstyne drifted back to them. Miss 
Graham’s whole nature seemed to warm and change. 
She cared so much for him then ! 

By and by they reached a level spot, where the^ all sat 
down to rest ; and the lunch-baskets came out, for it was 
past noon. The conversation became general. Mrs. 
Ogden’s brilliancy was heightened by her fine breeding, 
though Mrs. Sherrard was witty, and had that peculiar 
something termed fascination; or was it a seductive 
aggressiveness? Her fine dark eyes were languishing; 
she put herself in picturesque attitudes ; she dazzled ; she 
smiled in the faces of her companions, showing pearly 
teeth, and tempting scarlet lips. Mrs. Payne evidently 
adored her. 

Mr. Mallory and Mr. Endicott had a discussion quitt; 
to themselves upon geological formations. Nelly stole a 
glance at this wayfarer. 

Six and twenty, perhaps, with a firm, vigorous but 
elastic frame, rather above middle height, and a certain 
slow grace in every movement. A face full of fine and 
kindly feeling ; handsome, too, in a manly way, — quite 
different from Van Alstyne. His hair was a light, sunny 
brown ; but the brows and lashes were much darker » and 


NELLY KINNAJBD’S KINGDOM. 


265 


gave the clear blue eyes a deeper shade. A broad fore* 
head, firm and thoughtful, a kind of decisive nose, that 
seemed to strengthen the face, and a mouth that was arch 
and humorous, rich in kindly expressive lines, and not 
lacking firmness. Nelly felt drawn to him more than to 
any of the others. 

Up to the top of the glorious mountain after that; 
but the additional party spoiled it somewhat for Nelly 
they filled it so with littleness and worldliness. Mrs 
Payne thought “ mountains were pretty much alike, 
after all.’* Mrs. Sherrard had Van Alstyne’s arm 
now, and was very eflUsive. Miss Graham was rather 
sullen. 

Nelly and Bess seated themselves on a gray rock, and 
Mr. Mallory came and talked to them. 

“What a delightful party you must have 1 ” he said. 
“ Your father was telling me about it. My mother and I 
have met your sister in New York, Mrs. Duncan : so I 
do not feel quite like a stranger. I wonder if it would 
be too great a favor — or ought I to ask Mrs. Ogden? — 
if I might drive my mother over some day to call on you ? 
She is the loveliest old lady” — and he stopped with a 
blushing laugh. 

“ Why, we should be very glad to see her, if she will 
come,” answered Mrs. Kinnard. 

“ You are most kind. To tell the truth, I fancy she is 
a little dull ^ the hotel. Don’t you know that sometimes 
^you happen to fall in with a host of agreeable people ; and 
at others ” — he stopped there, bit his lip, and ended with 
a bright laugh. “I think it must be because there are 
no old ladies.” 

“We have three,” said Bess; “and one of them is 
just as handsome as any picture ; and one of them is 
better than any picture in the whole world.” 

“ And the third?” 

Bessie blushed crimson, and turned to Nelly, 

23 


J66 NELLY KIKNARD'S KINGDOM. 

“ The third rounds out the group. You can’t haTQ 
jhem all alike,” said Nelly with merry audacity. 

‘‘ I am quite curious to see them. The one better than 
a picture is ” — 

“ My mother,” answered Bessie proudly. 

There was a sign of breaking up. Thc'y scrambled 
down the mountain-side to where the paths diverged, and 
then said their good-bys, Mrs. Sherrard had tight hold 
of Van Alst3me’s arm. Mrs. Kinnard had given Miss 
Graham an invitation, earlier in the day, to visit her : so 
there were none exchanged now. Mr. Malloiy followed 
them a little farther until they met John and the family 
carriage, and then said they might look for •him to- 
morrow. 

The}^ sat in the moonlight that evening, and discussed 
the rencounter. 

I like Mr. Mallory,” said Bessie frankly ; “ but there 
is something about Mr. Van Alstyne that I should never 
trust. He either does, or pretends to, like Mrs. Sherrard 
a great deal. And then he acts queerly towards Miss 
Graham, while it seems as if Mr. St. John was bashfully 
in love with her ; and she snubs him. What tangles there 
are in this world I Now, I think I should like to write 
a book, and make everybody fall in love with the right 
person.” 

“ Don’t begin to bother your head about falling in love, 
Pussy,” said her father. 

“I? Papa dear, I have a premonition that I shall be 
four family old maid.” 

“ So did Rose,” says Fan with a laugh. 

The next afternoon Mr. Mallory and his mother came 
over. 

A handsome old lad}^ surely, — one of the women who 
are glad to be old, just as they were glad to be young; 
who keep the great joj^ of life shining through every 
thing. She had turned sixty now ; was of middle height 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


26 ’ 


and middle size, plump, fair, with pink cheeks, hair ol 
soft silver that had once been flaxen, a dimpled face, a 
sweet mouth, and a wonderful light gleaming in the blue 
eyes. Her fine striped gray-and- white silk dress hac' 
two ruffles on the skirt, and no overskirt. Her nan-ow 
collar, and the edge to her sleeves, was fine point. Her 
silver-gray gloves fitted to a hair. Her pretty white chip 
hat was trimmed with black thread lace. An old- 
fashioned, ingrained rareness and purity, a clinging 
sense of fragrance about her, that was as delicate as if 
her clothes had lain in it for years, rather than any sharp 
obtrusiveness just sprinkled out of a smart scent-bottle. 
In her way, she was fully a match for Miss Churchill. 

And, with her, her son shone out in a new light. The 
love that had grown out of her very life had returned to 
be her stay and support. She wore her grace of mother- 
hood like a crown ; and his sonship was not less beautiful 
to see, — his quiet, chivalrous attending, as if she were 
the “ fairest lady in all the land.^’ 

They sat out on the great porch, — some in rocking- 
chairs, some on the wide wooden benches, and on the 
grass-plot : they did not call it lawn. Essie and Archie 
were tumbling about ; the baby was crowing in her nurse’s 
arms ; and Bertie was swinging in a hammock. 

It is worth coming to see, Eugene,” cried his mother, 
in a tone that was glad and sweet, like herself. “ And 
now. Mends, don’t leave off doing any thing because I am 
here : the picture is perfect without any alteration. Just 
let me sit down in the midst.” 

Bessie was on the step, crocheting with bright wools, 
Mr. Mallory found a place beside her, and they all talked 
First it was of Mrs. Duncan (Mrs. Mallor}^ had known the 
elder Duncan family) , then Mi-s. Endicott, afterward the 
girls, before she came to the grandchildren. • 

“ You ought to be a happy woman with four such 
daughters,” she exclaimed; and there was a tremulous 
light in her eyes. 


NELLY KINNAliD'S KINGDOM. 


'm 


“There are two more at home, and a ‘baby’ some^ 
where,” said IMr. Endicott. “ Mother, where is Edith? 

“ Seven I ” exclaimed Mrs. Mallory. 

“ Seven,” laughed Mr. Endicott. 

“And I had four sons; but this is all I have now. 
God has been very good to you, Mrs. Endicott. I used 
to think I should like so to have a daughter. But, if I 
had not gone to him in my trouble and losses, I do not 
know how I should have lived. ‘ He brings us to the 
haven where we would be,’ and just asks that we shall 
trust his promises ; ” and her voice fell a little, as one’s 
does unconsciously when speaking of a matter very near 
the heart, yet long past. “ But there seems no lack of 
sons with you, after all,” she went on brightly. 

Mr. Endicott turned to her with his soft, friendly smile. 

Then the grandchildren were brought up ; and Bertie 
came with them. 

“ She isn’t my very own mamma,” Bertie explained, 
in answer to some wondering comment ; “ but papa loves 
her, and so do I.” 

“You had a deal of courage,” said Mrs. Mallory, 
glancing almost sharply at Nelly. 

“ She had what is better than courage,” remarked the 
elder Mrs. Kinnard, in an almost jealous tone, — “ good- 
ness and kindliness.” 

What an odd, charming, piquant call it was I An hour 
passed before any one thought ; and at parting they urged 
her to come again. 

“ I am sorry that I cannot offer a like entertainment , 
but I have seen more charming people than there are at 
our hotel. We were thinking of leaving next week. 
However, I must come over again ; for I have not half 
satisfied myself. So adieu for a brief while.” 

Fan, Nelly, Bess, and their father, went out to the gate, 
Mrs. Mallory nodded and smiled again. 

“ That is what I call running straight into a rose-gar 
den, Eugene,” she said to her son. 


CHAPTER XVlil. 


** All familiar things he tonched, 

All common words he spake, became to me 
Like forms and sounds of a diviner world.” 

Shelley. 

Miss Graham brought Mr. Van Alstyne out with her 
when she came to spend the day at the cottage. She 
had offered him a great temptation in asking him ; and he 
did not desire to resist it. But she was full of smoulder- 
ing jealousy because he and Bessie had a few bright 
passages at arms, and once went off together to look at 
a bird’s nest. 

“ I am very sorry for her,” said Mrs. Ogden. “ Why 
does she carry her heart so plainly on her sleeve? And 
one can only suppose that he is trifling with her. Does 
she not see it? ” 

“ She was so nice last summer I ” Nelly remarked in a 
kind of extenuating tone. 

Did he care for her then? ” 

“Not at all, or not especially. He is not a man’5nng 
aian ; ” and Nelly paused to wonder whether Daisy — 

“ Then he has no business to entangle any woman’s 
affections,” spoke out Mr. Churchill strongly. “It is 
one of the most selfish and cowardly things that can be 
done. An d women should try to frown it down.” 

“ But too many of our modern girls take it as a tri- 
umph,” said Nelly. 

“And my opinion regarding IVIr. Van Alstyne is, that 
Mrs. Sherrard will succeed. She is one of the kind whc 

23 * 2()9 


*270 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


always win when they make the attempt. I neithoi 
liked nor admired her ; but she is handsome and witty 
Did Miss Graham tell you she had been divorced?” asked 
Fanny. 

“ Yes. Then some one left her a fortune, and she went 
to Europe.” 

‘‘ She is rather too pronounced ; but, as we do not care, 
we ca?i let her alone.” 

Mr. Van Alstyne would fain have effected a familiar 
entree at the cottage ; but the Fates forbade. Then he 
grew irritated, and started off suddenly ; but among one 
of the earliest marriages in the autumn was his and Mrs. 
Sherrard’s. How she managed was a mystery. What the 
world did not know, was, that he had nearly run through 
with his fortune ; and the fascinating widow was both riel 
and prodigal. 

Ah, Daisy Endicott ! all the after-years did avenge yof 
grandly. 

Mrs. Sherrard and the Paynes following so soon 
in the wake of Mr. Van Alstyne’s defection, the Mallorys 
changed their minds, and decided to stay. There came 
to be a very pleasant going back and forth. Mrs. Mal- 
lory was delightful on further acquaintance. She had 
been everywhere, and seen so many notable people, — 
kings, queens, great generals, several remarkable artists 
and authors, — and had so many charming reminiscences 
to relate, that her days were really red-letter days. 
Her husband had been abroad on several governmental 
appointments, though Eugene was but fourteen when he 
(lied. She added to the quartet of old ladies a won- 
derful grace and interest; and Mr. Mallory soon made 
himself a favorite. Yet they could not be blind. Some 
day papa would have to say, “ And this one also.” 

But no one spoke or jested. It seemed an almost holy 
thing that this young girl should go so simply forward to 
her fate, neither dreading, expecting, nor desiring, until 


NBLI.Y KINNABD'S KINGDOM. 


271 


flie day came when her eyes should be opened with love'a 
own rosy, beneficent touch. No glare of ball-rooms, no 
heat and fiush of dancing, rivalry, and excitement, no crowd 
of society-people, anxious to tear off the garment of sim- 
plicity, and make her as worldly-wise as themselves, and 
dim the purity of face and heart; little family convet 
tions rather, a whole group gathered out on the porch, oi 
under the trees ; Bessie playing with a baby, or doing a 
bit of bright fancy-work, which was her passion. Some- 
where near her lingered Mr. Mallory. She fell into a 
fashion of referring to him, of asking him questions, 
sending him on trifling errands that would not take him 
out of sight, and thanking him with such a bewitching 
grace. She was piquant and flashing, rather than shy; 
but with her it was the bravery of entire innocence, rather 
than any approach to boldness. Her admiration of Mr. 
Mallory was very outspoken — just as she admired hei 
father or Dr. Kinnard. 

“ If I were a French woman, Mr. Endicott,” said Mrs. 
Mallory one day, “ I should ask your daughter for my 
son. In some things, we might study our neighbors to an 
advantage. Their children have not altogether outgrown 
filial affection or reverence ; and certainly, the first part 
of courtship does not need secrecy and affectation, as if 
it was a thing to be thrust out of sight He has met many 
women ; but so far I have been his most intimate friend. 
He is quite worthy of your daughter, and that is saying a 
great deal ; for I have seen no person until now that I 
coveted for him. You need not fear aught but the most 
motherly welcome for her.** 

“ She is so young! ** faltered the father, with a secret 
pang at seeing his household-nest thus despoUed of its 
treasures. 

“ Mr. Endicott, I was sixteen when I married ** (and 
in her more earnest tones there was a not unmusical 
sharpness, like a sweet-toned bell wildly shaken, that 


272 


KELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


somehow thrilled 3’^ou) , “ and my husband died a little 
more than twelve years ago. All that time was not a 
da^" too long. I would not give up one hour’s remem- 
brance now, for a mint of gold. K my son makes as 
good a husband ” — and a tear trembled in the lustrous 
eye. 

“ Yes, yes,’’ said Mr. Endicott hurriedly, clasping the 
aoft, dim^ded hand. 

“And now the rest they can settle for themselves,” 
she made answer with a smile. 

There came to be a sweet and gracious rivalry among 
these old ladies, — a bringing-out of what was best and 
kindliest, just as they wore their pretty laces, fine quaint 
lawns, with suggestions of other summers in them, and 
their rich, soft silks. And Nelly could not see her 
family grandmother fall behind. A touch added here 
to-day, and there to-morrow, softening and refining ; an 
act of tender respect or graceful deference that roused 
the very springs of her nature, though they had been 
quite choked with the debris of other years. She used to 
go to ride with Bertie with a glad, proud air, as if she 
discerned the grace in her grandson, and appreciated it. 

Dr. Kinnard and Winthrop Ogden were added to the 
party presently ; and there followed a fortnight of whole- 
some, delightful enjoyment, — a fresh, live meaning in 
every thing for them, from the mountain-tops at noon, 
to the suppers in the twilight; from the splendor of a 
sunset to the bits and fragments of ever^^-day life. 

“ I seem to realize more and more how we are gmng 
up our places to others,” Miss Churchill said to Mrs. 
Endicott. “We bring out the old-fashioned carnations 
that were the great things of our day ; and the new gene- 
ration cultivate them into largeness and richness, though 
they can’t make them much sweeter,” with her grand 
smile. “But it is all right. If we had not labored, 
they might ha’ve no carnations to improve upon.” 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 273 

“ And so my pretty Queen Bess has been captured in 
my absence/’ said Dr. Kinnard to his wife in a rather 
disconsolate tone. “ And she is to ‘ shine down ’ all you 
girls, even Mrs. Fan. Stephen Duncan was speaking of 
them. There is almost no end to Mrs. Mallory’s wealth. 
She was one of the Livingstons, and inherited two or 
three fortunes in her own right. Now, if Bess had been 
tricked out in silks and diamonds, and gone to Newport 
or Saratoga ” — 

“ Are you quite sure? ” exclaimed Nelly, aghast at so 
overwhelming a prospect. “Why, we never thought — 
I wonder that some of the girls at the hotel didn’t prefer 
him to Mr. Van Alstyne, whom they all seemed so 
bewitched about.” 

Nelly had kept that brief episode to confess personally, 
rather than trust it to a letter. But her husband had no 
fears now : “his heart safely trusted her.” 

“Young women may not always know;” and he 
shrugged his broad shoulders with a touch of humor. 
“ But, if Bess had not liked him, twice that money would 
not have tempted her. I lay the flattering unction to 
my soul, that my money did not tempt you,” with a 
funny little laugh. 

“ Nelly,” he said later, “ I cannot understand the mar- 
vellous change you have worked in mother. She is so 
much softer and kinder and more gracious ; and you 
make her look such a pretty old lady. I declare, I am 
verj^ proud of her.” 

“I think she softens herself by loving,” Nelly an- 
swered simply. 

And then they began to talk about going home. There 
were last walks and rides, going about to say good-by to 
every thing as Bessie phrased it. 

“Mamma,” she said, as they sat on the porch one 
starlight night, when there was no moon, and the babies 
were all gathered inside, — “mamma, I’ve been so 


274 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


happy all summer I I have so many pictures treasured 
up, I sometimes wish I had a genius, like you or Fan. 
But after all,*’ with her brightly-flavored laugn, “that 
could only take in a few; and my memoiy is a bettei 
portfolio. I don’t suppose I shall ever see any Alps or 
any Rhine, or streams of Wye or Severn, or even banks 
and braes of Doon ; but I am quite content and glad and 
strong., to go back home, and take up the little things, 
and talk over all these great things. And, if I never 
have another grand holiday in all my life, I think I shall 
be satisfled.” 

Eugene Mallory sat on the step below, and listened, 
planning in his heart. And, when the dream became too 
sweet, he rose suddenly, and said, — the thing farthest 
from his present thought, — 

“Are you not cold, Queenie? The nights are begin- 
ning to grow chilly. Let me get your shawl. There! 
and now I must go. It is a long ride over to the hotel ; 
and mother will sit up waiting. — Good-night, Mrs. 
Endicott.” 

Bessie walked down to the gate with him, — a lithe, 
graceful girl, with sunshine in her face, her hair, her 
heart. Some time she would ripen into a gracious and 
lovely woman, with that better charm than mere physical 
beauty. She seemed to him like a rosy, cheerful dawn, 
or a bright, warm spring day. How would he dare bring 
her any nearer, — into his very life? It was so delicious, 
pausing here on the charmed threshold of manhood’s 
sweet mystery. 

But it came of itself, a few days after, — a word, a look, 
a tremulous tone, a sudden scarlet flush, and drooping of 
eyes, on her part, and a brave, sweet gladness on his, 
that spoke in every feature as he took her to his heart. 
Lovers ! Yesterday they were friends, just touching the 
rims of each other’s boundaries; and to-day it was so 
bewilderingly diflTerent. The joy almost dazed one. 


NELLI: KTNNARD S KINGDOM. 


275 


She could have lived without it before she had it ; bu< 
now to give it up would be a pang bitterer than death. 

“ My dear,’^ said Mrs. Mallory, when they began to 
ti\lk about it a little, “ I want you to take me for a 
mother in deed and in truth. Eugene is all I have in 
this world ; and I see no reason why a mother should be 
shut out of her son’s life when she is old. He has had 
the best and richest of hers, much more than she can 
ever have of his. I know there is a strong prejudice 
against mothers-in-law ; and young people are said to be 
better off by themselves, as if their greatest joy should 
narrow their life and sympathies at once. You can spare 
me a little out of these bright, young days ; and I shali 
try to give it back in mother-love. I cannot be parted 
from him.” 

“ No,” Bessie said wonderingly, looking into the eager 
face, with its pink cheeks, and proud yet beseeching 
eyes, — “ no : why should it be? Why shouldn’t we both 
love him? As if anybod}" could have — too much.” 

“ Thank you, my dear ; ” and there was a little huski- 
ness in the ringing, musical voice. “ You will be none 
the loser.” 

Mr. Endicott asked them, in his simply hospitable 
manner, to spend a few days at the rectoiy ; and they 
came. Bose put the guest-chamber in order, just as she 
had for her own lover, long ago, it seemed, when he was 
a stranger. And Fan insisted that Nelly should come 
to West Side with her husband, and spend Sunday, to 
hear Louis Duncan preach. 

So they were all together again, — children and children’s 
children, except the one “ who was not,” the smiling, 
angelic baby, who had lived out his folded, rose-leaf life, 
and left behind a rare fragrance that would never die 
quite out of their hearts. 

But the little mother looked so piteous with her greai 
asking, sorrowing eyes, and her empty arms, that seemed 


276 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


to go out into void space caressingly, as if she hoped tc 
find him again ; her absent, listening expression, as if she 
was waiting for him to speak from somewhere. There 
was a black ribbon around the neck of her white dress, 
and another in her leghorn hat. Stephen did not like hei 
to wear mourning : so she put off all but these small signs. 

An odd, unworldly life they had led in that homely 
rectory during the past two months. Business had taken 
Stephen away now and then. Louis had thrown him- 
self heart and soul into the work, with the enthusiasm 
of a poetic nature which the lad had alwa^-s possessed ; 
though, in earlier years, it had onlj^ cro])ped out in irrita- 
tions that rasped him to the core, heart-burnings, anger, 
and jealousy. But he had found his place and his work. 
An idealist he would always be, clothing, or longing to 
clothe, every thing with his exquisite perception of beauty 
and fitness, to find the hidden types and meanings, to go 
up on glorified mounts, to see behind the cloud and pillar 
of fire, — the kind of man of whom, in olden times, 
devotees were made, who saw Christ as if in a vision. 
A sense of spiritual exaltation shone in every feature. 

He was delicate looking, though not unhealthy, and 
with a glow of mystic worship in his eyes, a reverence 
in every movement, a sweetness and persuasiveness that 
was almost womanly, yet not weak. His sermons indi- 
cated much thought, refinement, and culture; yet they 
had the pith of the old teaching, and never lost sight of 
the great truth in all the fiow of poetic imagery. 

Remembering the wayward boy, Mr. Endicott gave 
thanks anew ; first-fruits of which he would never need 
to be ashamed, surely. 

“ Between Stephen and Louis, Bose seems a very 
djild,” said Nelly to the doctor as they were walking 
home from church in the silvery glow of the Septembei 
evening, with the air full of delicious, ripening odors. 

Why, .t seems to me as if Fan and I were ages older, 


KELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


277 


or is it because we are so much taller? Poor girl ! she 
is the only one that has had a lasting sorrow thus far.” 

“ I wish she had not taken it to Louis ; ” and there 
was a kind of dissatisfaction in her husband’s tone. 

“ Why, it is perfectly natural. He is a clergyman, and 
they always were unusual friends. He thinks she saved 
him once ; and she did. Barton, I won’t have you even 
fancying ” — 

She stopped because she hardly knew what he did 
fancy, and there was a jealous warmth in her tone. The 
one who thought any harm of Rose must answer to her 
quick and sharp. 

“My darling, I am not imagining anything in the 
absolute sense of wrong. Stephen stands and looks at 
her in great awe, and then steps aside ; and she turns to 
his brother, because he is, as you say, a clergyman. 
But no person or thing has any right to come between 
husband and wife — no sympathy, any more than love.” 

“ I will not have you judging her hardly,” and Nelly’s 
voice trembled. 

“She is lovely and sweet; and she is an Endicott: 
can I say any thing greater?” with an abrupt but 
tender pressure. “ But I have had a wider experience 
than any of you ; and marriage seems to me a kind of 
promised land. It is promised, and you set out for it ; 
but with some there is forty years in the wilderness, and 
they only behold it afar off, never quite entering in. A 
day or a month doesn’t comprise it all ; a kiss and a 
little caressing is not all the manna : it is the giving and 
receding on both- sides ; and what is given has no right 
to be handed over to another ; neither has one any right 
to withhold. It is the empty place out^of which the 
little child has gone ; and some day she will come to see 
that only a husband’s love can fill it. Yet it is so natural 
for a woman to crave the finest there is in sympathy.” 

“ But Louis is so good ; and if you could know all 

w 


278 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


there was between them in the past. I think two 
brothers never loved one another as those two Duncans 
do now/' 

Dr. Kinnard was silent for a few moments, and then 
changed the talk to some other subject. It was a subtle 
under-current that he saw with the practised eye of a 
thoughtful physician. Might it not right itself, especially 
if another child should come to draw them together? 
For happiness is not a settled and unchanging truth. 
What satisfied yesterday may be as but crumbs to- 
morrow. 

The addition of the Malloiys to the household attracted 
and diverted attention. Mrs. Mallory was as charmingly 
at home as if she had been coming back to some earlier 
haunt. She possessed the fine grace of thorough breed- 
ing, that would never lead any one to wonder if things 
were good enough. You forgot what you proffered ; or, 
rather, she so glorified it to you, that straightway it be- 
came of the best. She flitted in and out ; she was ex- 
quisitely motherly to these young men, who paid her the 
purest respect. Even now, had she so willed, she could 
have drawn an enchanted circle around her equal to that 
of some of the famous old Frenchwomen. 

Bessie was in a glow and radiance. The blood rippled 
vividly through her fair skin ; tremulous lights and shad- 
ows fluttered in her eyes; and her voice had a musical 
fulness, as if it came from an overflowing soul. She was 
oddly shy, now, having lost her friend, and hardly daring 
to accept his attentions in the new light of a lover. But 
with his mother there was no timidity. 

She was young, and they would not hurry matters. 

“You see," explained Mrs. Mallory, “I am a believ- 
er in pleasant courtships. It is a season in our young 
lives that nothing ever blights. It has no cares like 
marriage, and, in its happy ignorance, sees nothing save 
endless islands of delight all along the sunshiny shore. 


KELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM. 


279 


It is a great thing to believe in the perfection of bliss 
even for a year or two ; ” and her rippling laugh seemed 
to frame in her sentences. 

“ And now, ‘ gude wife,* we must go home,** declared 
Dr. Kinnard. “ I feel as if I had been on a fresh 
honeymoon, and may do something ridiculous presently, 
since love-making is all the rage.** 

“ It has been a wedding-journey,** returned Nelly 
with tender gravity. “ I seem to be having delightful 
holidays here and there, and only a little of the sober 
work.** 

“Ah, you think sol** And he remembered what 
would have been a grievous burthen to some women. 


CHAPTER XIX. 


" Blind and hardened they 
Who hope for peace amid the storms of care; 

Who covet power they know not how to use, 

And sigh for pleasures they refuse to give.” 

Pbomethettb llNBOUim 

The Kinnards were at home again, though it was 
some time before they dropped into their olden groove ; 
there was so much to see and hear, so many old friends 
dropping in to welcome them back ! 

The church had gone on beautifully. It was to be 
built of gray stone, and they had been very fortunate in 
securing some that had been cut under another contract ; 
so that the walls, they hoped, would all be up before cold 
weather. It was to be Gothic, with a clerestory and a 
tower, a very decided ornament to the town. 

Then Miss Grove and Maud returned home, both im- 
mensely consequential. Nelly had witnessed nothing 
like it the whole summer. 

“Dr. Kinnard,’’ Miss Grove said the next morning, 
at the breakfast-table, “ I desire to see you privately at 
your earliest convenience.** 

“Very well, come in the office presently,** was the 
undaunted answer. 

Maud looked consciously elated. “ What a haughty, 
disagreeable girl!** thought Nelly. “Will any one 
blame me for it, I wonder? ** 

The conference was quite lengthy. Maud meanwhile 
was entertaining her stepmother with a description of 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


28 ! 


Saratoga, quite as if she had taken pity on her benighte(t 
seclusion. 

“ Come, Maud,’* exclaimed her aunt, sweeping through 
the hall. 

The doctor beckoned to his wife, who went in, when 
he closed the door carefully. 

“Wonders will never cease,” he began, then gave a 
heaity laugh, thrusting both hands into his pockets. 

“ Then it is nothing bad? ” And NeUy looked amused. 

“ Some one has been found brave enough to bell the 
cat: that was our old idea, was it not?” and his eyes 
twinkled mirthfully. 

“What do you mean?” was her surprised question, 
for she could not believe the thought that flashed into her 
mind. 

“ That the whole world has gone marriage mad. 
Aunt Adelaide has succumbed to the destiny of women- 
kind.” 

Nelly’s face was one ripple of astonishment. 

“ She would never have entertained such an idea, but 
for my misbehavior. She would have been content to 
devote her life to me and the children, and made an hon- 
orable and happy home : I believe those were her very 
words. But since this place never can be a home to her 
again; since she has been continually thwarted in her 
endeavors to do her duty by the children, and estranged 
from them ; since she has been made to feel that she was 
not welcome (and that vexed me, Nelly,” interposed 
the doctor with a frown), — “ there was no other course 
left. The long and the short of it is, that she has 
accepted one Mr. Garland, and has been in New York 
superintending her wedding outfit. Early in October she 
is to become Mrs. Garland.” 

“ But who is he? ” was Nelly’s inquiry. 

“ A stock-broker. I do hope Adelaide’s vanity and 
self-complacency have not blinded her into making a bad 
24 * 


282 


ITELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


bargain. She met him at Saratoga, He is about hei 
age, a widower, with two children married (sons at that) ; 
ar.d, she thinks, wealthy. I trust it may be so. She has 
ft comfortable fortune of her own ; and it would be a 
shame to have it frittered away. What with accruing 
interest, it must be at least twenty thousand. She has 
spent nothing since she came here, except for clothes and 
occasional journeys.** 

“ I hope she will do well,** said Nelly in a tone of 
great relief. To be quite free I Why, she could hardly 
realize it. 

“ Well I hope so too. It would be folly for either of us 
to deny that her going is any thing but an unalloyed 
pleasure. Still I was glad to have her come during her 
sister’s illness ; and I should not have liked to send her 
away while we could get along amicably together. Is 
this another intervention of Providence, Nelly? ’* And, 
drawing his fair young wife to him, he pressed lovers* 
kisses on her lips. 

“ Yes, I am thankful,** was her fervent reply. 

“There is one bone of contention looming up. She 
wants to take Maud altogether.** 

“O Barton! it does not seem quite right,** cried 
Nelly in genuine anxiety. “It is such a fatal influence 
for a young girl. I do believe I would rather have her 
shallow and frivolous than so conceitedly proper, so 
arrogant, and coldly selfish. With all her education, she 
is narrow, and ignorant of the real aims of life.” 

“ I know it ; and it is my grief. Nelly, I wish I could 
have given her into your care two years ago : but it was 
not possible, and it would have been too great a charge 
for you. Then I think Maud is radically different from 
Bertie. I have a son, at least,** he said proudly. 

“ Will you let her go? ** 

“ I think not. Advise me, Nelly ; ** and, coming neai 
her, he leaned both elbows on the table, resting his per* 


IJELLY KINNAUD’s KINGDOM. 


283 


plexed face in his hands. “We could not keep her at 
home, you see. She would be dissatisfied, and exagger- 
ate every trifie to her aunt. I would not risk having you 
thus misrepresented. So she would have to be sent to 
boarding-school, where she would not be at all content, I 
suspect. I think Aunt Adelaide really loves her ; and, if 
an}^ evil befell her, she would never forgive me. Still, on 
the other hand, I cannot see her ruined without some 
eflTort to save her. I am her father.” 

“She had better go to school,” returned Nelly deci- 
sively. “ She is only a little girl yet, barely fourteen ; 
and three years’ association with companions of her own 
age may do a gi'eat deal for her. Aunt Adelaide would 
make her a woman before her time, without a woman’s 
sense or judgment. I never saw any one who had such 
an uncompromising hostility to childhood pure and sim- 
ple as Miss Grove.” 

“ The first agreement was, that she should be a kind of 
governess to the children until they were old enough to go 
to school. But she insists upon keeping Maud ; and I 
daresay we shall have some hard talks over it.” 

“ She might spend part of her vacations with her aunt, 
and part here.” 

“It shall be, some way. I only needed your verdict 
about the school to decide me. None of you girls were 
ever away at school? ” 

“No.” And Nelly thought of their happy home-life. 

“ Well, my dear, I must go out. I have idled away 
half the morning, and shall, no doubt, prescribe matrimony 
for some patient before I am through. So good-by, 
sweetheart.” 

Nelly went around in a maze. “ Aunt Adelaide 
married ! What could Mr. Garland be like? Would the 
wedding take place here? ” 

Miss Grove did not deign to inform any person beside 
“ my brother-in-law,” as she had always resolutely called 


284 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


Aim. There was a week of much flurry, assorting of 
clothes and bedding, driving to the village ; and then she 
went to New York, taking Maud with her, not troubling 
any one about permission. 

Dr. Kinnard felt really vexed. Meanwhile, he con- 
sulted two or three friends on the subject of schools, and, 
with Nelly’s advice, chose one in a pretty, healthy, and 
somewhat old-fashioned town. Melrose Hall was limited 
to seventy-five pupils, and had three departments, with a 
very lovely woman for matron, and an efficient corps of 
teachers. Two of Mrs. Newbury’s grand-daughters were 
there. 

Mr. Dudley had spoken of a church school, one evening 
at supper. 

“No,” said the doctor good-humoredly : “ that never 
would do. Mrs. Kinnard would be accused of proselyt- 
ing. We shall tiy to keep on the safe side.” 

He announced his decision to Maud on her return. 

Maud colored a little. “ It was hardly worth while,” 
she said, with the severe air of her aunt. “We visited 
several schools in New York ; and I am to be entered at 
Madame Dufresney’s establishment. Nothing but French 
and Italian is allowed to be used at the table. Languages 
and music are to be my chief studies.” 

Dr. Kinnard looked at her in amazement. 

“ My child,” he answered gravely, “ I am your father, 
and the proper person to decide. When 3^ou are older, if 
you should wish to reside with your aunt, I will interpose 
no obstacle ; but at present you are in my charge.” 

Maud’s lip quivered; and her eye shot out an angry 
light. 

, “ My little girl, you may feel disappointed for a while ; 

but some time you will see the wisdom of this step. I 
'Mnk I have some right to your affection and interest; 
and I do desire to have your love.” 

AH these years Aunt Adelaide had been nursing the 


JTELLY KINNABD’s KINGDOM. 


285 


child’s Jealousy and distrust. Under the placid exterior 
raged fires ready to burst out at a word, temper that used 
to find a ready vent upon Bertie, but now was seldom 
crossed. 

“ K you desired it,” she said with the passionate vehe- 
mence of a woman, “ why did you forget my own dear 
dead mother? Why did you put another in her place? 
You care for no one but her ; you ” — 

“ Hush, Maud I ” he interrupted sternly. “ You have 
no right to arraign me, or the generous woman I have put 
in your mother’s place, when you have received only 
kindness at both our hands. She has always been ready 
to love you. If I had wavered before, this exhibition of 
disrespect and anger would have decided me. After your 
aunt’s marriage, you will go to Melrose Hall to stay until 
Christmas. No persuasion on any one’s part will induce 
me to relent. I shall explain it to Aunt Adelaide imme- 
diately.” 

Miss Grove expressed much indignation, and stigmatized 
the whole proceeding as cruel. 

“Adelaide,” he said, “the child is surely mine. 1 
think I hardly need remind you now of the little care 
either of these children received from their mother. Do 
you suppose, had she been well, and able to go into 
society, she would have attended Bertie through his long 
illness, as his stepmother did ? Did she ever care for my 
comfort or pleasure ? Truth is truth. It is ungracious to 
remember the faults of the dead ; but you compel me to. 
And it is doubly ungenerous of you to Sv't Maud up in 
rebellion.” 

“ Of course, of course ! ” she retorted fiercely. “ The 
child cannot see — a large girl like Maud ! She is capable 
of forming no conclusion whatever.” And her tall figure 
dilated with angry passion. 

“ The whole world would be welcome to see and judge. 
But recrimination is worse than folly. We have lived on 


286 


NELLY KINNARD S KINGDOM. 


friendly terms so far ; and I am obliged for every kiiuilj 
act of yours. Do not let us mar the remaining days. 
My mind is firmly made up in every thing.” 

He turned and left her without another word. Yet 
never had he felt so profound a pity for the woman ijdng 
in her grave, that her life should have left so scant a 
record of love and good deeds. 

Maud and her aunt went into town, and did not appear 
at either dinner or supper. The next morning both were 
cold and haughty, Maud’s demeanor an absolute and 
almost laughable caricature on her aunt’s. 

The invitations were sent out; and then the family 
learned that the ceremony would take place at noon, in the 
church. Mr. Garland would be in town the day before ; 
and, but for the late unpleasant occurrences, she would 
be glad to invite him to call. 

“• Humbug ! ” ejaculated Dr. Kinnard. “ Adelaide, any 
person with ten grains of common sense would admit 
that I had a right to choose a school for my own child. 
Ask your Mr. Garland here. I should like to meet him.” 

Trunks and boxes were packed, and marked for their 
new destination. Furniture was boxed, and the house in 
a whirl of disorder, that, had any one attempted in Aunt 
Adelaide’s reign, would have brought about a dire storm. 
The hall was well-nigh converted into a storage place. 

On Tuesday evening, Mr. Garland made his appear- 
ance, — a stout, fiorid man of middle size, with rather 
small, keen eyes, and suspiciously-brown hair and beard 
for his fifty y^ars. He was important and self- asserting, 
and might domineer, if occasion offered, thought Nelly. 
His manners had a society-polish; he was handsomely 
Pressed, and wore a profusion of chain, seals, and rings, 
with a prominent diamond shirt-stud. 

“ I suppose it is well enough, if Aunt Adelaide likes 
him,” was Nelly’s comment. 

‘‘ But he quite extinguishes plain people like me,” said 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


287 


the doctor jvith the old humorous twinkle shining in his 
eye. “ I must confess I would like to know something 
about his standing and general character; but, if Ade- 
laide is satisfied, I surely ought to be content to have her 
married.” 

And married she was in the richest of brown silk, point 
lace, and diamonds. A fine-looking bride, after all. 
The Kinnards went to ch^irch, and wished her joy as she 
started for Washington on her tour. 

Maud had been exceedingly sullen and disagreeable, so 
far as her family behavior went ; but neither father nor 
mother had made any comment. She came home from 
church, locked herself in her room, and would have no 
supper. 

“ Maud,” her father announced on the following morn- 
ing, “ I want you to get your trunk packed to-day. To- 
morrow I shall take you to Melrose Hall.” 

A furtive, angry gleam sparkled in the eyes she did not 
venture to raise. 

There was no softening to her. She did condescend 
to kiss her grandmother. When Bertie went to school, 
she had nodded a cold good-by ; and she barely touched 
her stepmother’s hand. 

“ How much that child is like Aunt Adelaide I ” said 
Grandmother Kinnard. “ I declare she fairly gives one 
a chill.” 

“That child” solaced herself with many lofty reflec- 
tions. She had some elegant clothes, and she meant to 
astonish the other girls. She was the happy possessor 
of diamonds. She was an heiress. She was an injured 
and desolate girl, and had a cruel young stepmother, 
whom her father adored. Altogether, she was rather 
anxious to see what impression this would make upon 
“ the girls.” 

Ten days afterward. Aunt Adelaide’s boxes and furni- 
ture went away. Mr. Garland owned a house ; and the} 


288 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


were to go to housekeeping at once. Nelly straightened 
out her own domain, and drew a long glad breath. She 
was full and undisputed mistress. 

Dr. Kinnard was rather grave for a while, thinking 
about his daughter. Had he done his very best? Ah, 
the mistake had commenced farther back. She inherited 
Aunt Adelaide’s self-complacency, and her mother’s pas- 
sionate, jealous temperament ; and both had been fostered 
by her injudicious training. What else could he do now ? 
Would she ever see the bright, joyous, wholesome life 
she was shutting out? 

But he slipped into an easy, delicious existence, and 
gave himself up to it as completely as he had on his bridal 
tour. A happy man he counted himself ; for there seemed 
nothing for Nelly to do but enjoy it with him. Rachel 
remained, and had become a competent housekeeper; 
and grandmother was fond of doing little bits and snatches 
of work. Daisy and Bess came over frequently, — Daisy 
rarely for more than a da}^ ; but Bessie was still quite in 
love with her dear old doctor. 

He 3dGlded himself completely to the subtle, developing 
power that was shaping his inner life, — the half-hidden, 
half-revealed tenderness of a pure womanly nature. It is 
one thing to lay down laws and principles of existence 
from a narrow, one-sided view ; quite another to be in the 
midst of, nay, to be the object of, a generous regard, that 
neither exacts nor withholds, but is like a free and boun- 
tiful sunshine in the spring, calling to life and light the 
hundre<l tender blossoms in the grass. He had known so 
little of what it was exalting and delightful to know ; and 
now it came as a development of all the higher facul- 
ties, ripening like a late summer. The manifold jo^^s of 
that sweet trust, when there was absolutely nothing to 
come between, the searching into each other’s faces for 
meanings that did not need to be thrust out of sight, or 
saved for rare moments of confidence, but dared to shine 


NELLY KINKAED’s KINGDOM. 


289 


bravely, with a minuteness that was a glimpse of the soul- 
heaven opened, — the kingdom within, that must go on 
radiating, that could not be contained in a little space 
any more than the fulness of God’s love. 

Dr. Kinnard had said to Maud, on parting with her, 
“ I shall expect to hear from you as often as once in a 
fortnight : so she wrote. Little, formal notes they were, — 
she was well ; the studies were not severe, for she was 
far in advance of her class ; the girls, for the most part, 
were ill bred and ignorant ; the French teacher had an 
execrable accent ; the rooms were poorly furnished : 
and there was a general air of discontent pervading these 
epistles. But she reserved her chief complaints for her 
aunt. 

Mrs. Garland’s marriage, it must be confessed, was not 
altogether the success she had expected. True, Mr. 
Garland had a position, and did business ; but there 
was more outside show than actual solidity. His house 
was heavily mortgaged, and part of it rented until the 
ensuing spring ; and it was an intense mortification to set 
up housekeeping in apartments. She found that Mr. 
Garland had counted largely on her fortune. There was 
this and that investment, sure to double it, large divi- 
dends of such a stock, heavy interest for some wonder- 
ful bonds ; while seven per cent was mere bagatelle. 

But she was not deficient in courage and practical 
ability ; and she saw that she must make a resolute stand 
for herself. Mr. Garland was not Dr. Kinnard. True, 
he never would have been so foolish as to many a for- 
tuneless young girl. Her sharp temper helped her, too, 
to gain an ascendancy in marital affairs, and, perhaps, 
was none the worse for her husband, though it did gall 
and fret him. 

“ If you are agreed,” she announced rather coldly one 
day, “ I will take up the two mortgages on the house. I 
desire to keep the whole of it in the spring. But I do 
25 


NELLY KINNARD’S KmGDOM. 


2 ^ 


this with the express stipulation that you shall not 
endeavor to sell the proper!}". For the remainder of mj 
money, I think it safer in government bonds.” 

After some discussion, he was forced to assent, as the 
first mortgage was soon to fall due. 

It was not convenient to have Maud at her Christmas 
holidays; neither did the young lady desire to return 
home : so she was left to follow her own devices. 

Nelly felt quite free, therefore, to keep the feast with 
her own kin. 

“By all means,” said grandmother in a cordially 
consenting tone. “Bertie and I will have a nice time 
together.” 

Bertie looked wistfully at mamma. 

“You will be sure to come home the next day?” he 
begged beseechingly.” 

“ Oh ! quite sure.” 

Mrs. Mallory and Eugene were the only other guests. 
Mr. Mallory was to go South immediately afterward to 
settle some business, and dispose of an estate for his 
mother. She insisted upon Bessie sharing her solitude ; 
and the child was nothing loth. Indeed, she yielded 
quite enchantingly to the sweet old lady’s fascinations. 

But it was not to be all prosperity and joy. They had 
found many precious ways in their journeyings, hitherto, 
like a sweet story told on a summer afternoon beside a 
rippling brook, with widespread trees overhead, and 
through them shining the wonderful blue, God’s care and 
keeping. Yet there had been no marvellous good for- 
tune, — the middle way, the path between, seeing both 
sides, yet not absolutely touching either. Bessie might 
go to grandeur ; it seemed fairly promised ; but, with the 
others, it had been the more moderate kind, in which the 
gifts are glorified with the kindly using. 

The winter proved a hard one in business circles. The 
Endicotts took a little here and there out of their store 


NELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM. 


291 


of comforts for the poor and needy. The Churchills were 
ready-handed as usual. Dr. Kinnard sent in smallei 
bills to the mill people and those working on short time. 
Nelly widened her charities a little. 

It was to Rose that the misfortune came. There were 
heavy business-losses, failures of firms in diflferent parti 
of the country, that at last touched Stephen Duncan. 
Not from any fault or negligence of his own, rather from 
the dishonesty and carelessness of others. 

Nelly went over to the rectory to hear more particu- 
larly. 

“ It is very disastrous, I believe,” said Mrs. Endicott; 
“ but poor Rose bears it bravely. It seems as nothing, 
compared to the loss of her child. Winthrop went down 
to see if he could assist Stephen in any way ; but he 
(Stephen) decided that it was better to give up every 
thing, and begin anew. He is so strictly honest and 
honorable. There were two other partners, you know ; 
but every dollar of his property was liable for the debts 
of the whole. He bought out his brother’s part of the 
house some time ago, you may remember. It was his 
intention to settle it upon Rose ; but he had not done so 
as yet, which seems a great pity. One of the partners, 
Mr. Lewes, gave his wife a very valuable house last sum- 
mer, it appears, and, besides that, he has nothing. I 
have a fancy he was not as scrupulous as the other two, 
by what Winthrop said.” 

“ But to give up her beautiful home I ” cried Nelly. 

“ 0 mamma! do you remember how we all went to 
wcxcome her there when she returned from her bridal 
tour? I can’t think of Rose in any other place; she 
wouldn’t take root. He has been so kind and generous 
to his brothers, why can they not ” — 

Stuart is soon to be married to a Southern heiress 
He had some money in the hands of the firm, which he 
drew out last fall ; and Stephen looks upon it as a great 


292 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


relief now. Louis does lose a little by an unfortunate 
investment they made some time ago. Winthrop said he 
was veiy kind indeed.** 

“And yet his boyhood seemed so much less promising 
than Stuart’s,** said Nelly musingly. 

Mrs, Endicott smiled in her beautiful motherly way. 

“ There was something else planted in his heart, Nell}",** 
she made answer in a reverent tone,** — something above 
brilliancy, or worldly wisdom, or the pure planning for 
self. And now he has it in his power to pay them both 
back a little. I think he will. I can trust God to bring 
forth his fruit in the right season.** 

“ K we could do any thing for her — poor Rose I ** 

“ My dear, there may be some wisdom in it that we dc 
not see now. I think Rose has grieved a good deal, in a 
soft, passive manner. She did not ask her baby back, or 
question God in any daring or fretful way ; but she has 
remained sore at heart. It was as if she kept taking 
him out of his grave, caressing him a while in a kind of 
stolen fashion, then putting him back, — a sort of covet- 
ing sorrow, after all. And this may rouse her.** 

“ Oh if Mrs. Whitcomb were only there I ** 

“ I think it is best just as it is. Rose was such a 
clinging little body, so distrustful of herself, so ready 
to peld, almost fearful in some phases. And this will 
bring out all her strength, because it touches her love for 
Stephen. Next week I shall go down and stay a while 
with her, and see what is to be done.** 

Nelly sits in the old low rocker, and thinks of the joy- 
ous time, three years ago, when she was there, choosing 
her bride-clothes ; and they were all so very, very 
happy. Rose’s path had gone over green and sunny 
meadows for a long distance : hers had seemed to start by 
the briery wayside, and, later on, come out to blossoms 
Was there some wiser hand portioning it day by day, 
like the bread and the manna? She had trusted for her- 
self \ could she not, then, trust for Rose ? 


NELLY KINNARD’s KINGDOM. 


293 


There was a very sweet and cordial sympathy given on 
every side. A fortnight with mamma seemed to infuse 
new blessedness into the present and the future. True, 
Stephen had lost all, in a worldly point of view ; but 
he had youth and health and energy, and had, also, 
acquired some business experience, that would stand him 
in good stead. Friends had begun to rally around him ; 
and later, when the spring fairly opened, a new business 
offer was made him by a house that had stood all the 
storms bravely, and had watched and appreciated his 
manliness and integrity. 

There had been another bit of rippling sunshine 
through it all. Bessie, who declared she was a princess 
living in an enchanted castle, and pretty, bright Mrs. 
Mallory, — they would have Rose and Stephen come to 
little suppers, and drive in the park, and share with them 
the brightness of a wider living. Mrs. Mallory took a 
warm interest in Louis’ chapels and charity projects, 
and claimed both men for an evening’s escort now and 
then, since there was no Eugene at hand. 

“ My dear,” she said, after she had been studying 
Bessie a long while one day, “ to have rounded out the 
romance, I think Louis should have married your sister 
Daisy, though there is time enough yet. But I am glad 
his heart was not unalterably fixed upon you ; for Eugene 
confessed to me that he fell in love with you at first sight ; 
and it would have broken my heart to see him crossed in 
his wishes.” 

Bessie throws herself on a footstool, and leans on Mrs. 
Mallory’s lap, kissing the dimpled hands in girlish fervor- 

“ I wonder,” she says slowly, “ if j^ou could not have 
loved some other girl.” 

“But, you see, he did not love any other girl. No, 
Bessie, I felt just as he did : I wanted you.” 

*25 


CHAPTER XX. 


“ Love that asketh love again 
Finds the barter nought but pain : 

Love that giveth in full store 
Aye receives as much and more.” 

It was early June. All was bloom and beauty again. 
The breath of the woods, the meadows, the gardens, the 
winding rivers and still ponds ; the flutter of birds travers- 
ing the dreamy air that reflected all of heaven* s own blue, 
coming nearer and nearer with brooding love ; the whir 
of bees about their daily business ; the hums ; the rippling 
among the leaves ; the rustlings in the grass ; joined in 
giving a sense of wide, sweet abundant life everywhere. 

Something more than that beautiful out-of-doors. Dr. 
Kinnard stopped and took great whifis of it, as if he had 
never half enjoyed it before, never half given thanks 
before. He glanced around on the loveliness : he listened 
to a distant warble in a chestnut-thicket. He wanted to 
utter some sort of psalm, just as he had heard the words 
go up with glorious organ-tones ; but he could only think 
of the one strain, “My soul doth magnify the Lord.’* 
It was in heart and brain ; but his lips trembled when he 
tried to shape them to any words ; and so he just walked 
up and down the wide porch where the first roses were in 
bloom, his head bared to the morning sunshine, and bent 
in a strange awe, — a reverence such as he had never 
experienced in all his eight and thirty years. 

There was a strange, glorified stillness all through the 
house. Voices were lowered to a kind of hushed yet 

294 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM 


295 


i^relcoming sweetness ; and steps were light, with the sort 
of hopeful confidence when one fears a little, and desires 
to believe much. 

Up stairs, in the room where he had brought her first as 
a bride, — the room whose scant and chilly furnishing had 
appalled her, and which they two had adorned in an 
eager, almost childish fashion, she lay now. Sunny fiecka 
and sparkles stole in every crevice of the closed blinds, 
flickering about the ceiling, hovering over the bed, as if to 
crown her anew with her joy of motherhood. 

His child I His little daughter ! There had been other 
children to Dr. Kinnard, but none that had brought the 
grace of this. The others had seemed pure natural gifts : 
this one he had longed for, prayed for, desired with all 
the strength and passion of a man’s strong soul. And 
he had them both. Ah, no wonder the day was glorious, 
and full of sunny lights and shadows, full of fragrance 
and rare loveliness. It never could have been any other 
time than June. 

Presently he went into the ofiSce. Here in a slender 
vase were three roses she had gathered yesterday. Two 
had blown out full : one was still in bud. He took them 
out softly, wiped the wet stems with careful fingers, and 
rolled them in a bit of tissue-paper. They would always 
have a strange sacredness to him. 

“ I know why I’m glad it is a girl,” said Bertie that 
evening, with a confident nod of the head. 

“Why?” asked Dr. Kinnard, with a sense of amuse- 
ment. 

“Because you see, papa,” with great earnestness, 
“ you can love it ever so much ; and it won’t be a bit in 
my way. But, if it was a boy, you might not love me as 
well; would you?” 

“ And you care so much for my love, do you, Bertie, 
my son? ” 

There was a peculiar softness in the father’s brown 


296 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


eyes. Mary Grove’s child had never been dearer to him 
than at that moment. 

“ O papa ! ” drawing closer, and putting his small arms 
over the broad shoulders, and giving one long, deep 
inspiration. 

“ Bertie, there can nothing destroy my love for you, 
and only some great sin on your part take away the pride 
I hope always to have in j^ou.” 

“ And she will be my mother just the same? ” 

Ah, could he answer for her, now that she had her own? 
Yes : he would. 

“Just the same, Bertie, with God’s help and grace.” 

There was a little silence ; then he said softly, “ Could 
I go up and kiss her, do you think? ” 

“ Yes : let us both go.” 

Later, when she was beginning to sit up in pretty white 
frilled wrappers. Dr. Kinnard repeated the incident to his 
wife. 

“ It will not do to be too glad. Suppose there should 
be seven? ” And an amused light shone in her eyes. 

There was a droll little gesture, a happy smile. 

“I fancy Bertie and I will be able to welcome them 
all.” 

But she thought of the child’s words as she sat in the 
blessed summer silence, with her baby lying across her 
lap, — that mysterious bundle of soft flannel, flne lawn, 
and dainty embroidery ; those doubled-up, and then out- 
stretched tiny hands, the little picture-face, with dimpled 
chin, and mouth like a rosebud, whose wandering eyes 
opened and shut with that sense of infinite peace, and 
supreme indifference to the great world, as if it, indeed, 
was the greatest thing in the world. Would she never be 
jealous with a mother’s engrossing, absorbing love? 
Would she never seek for the best places, the whole of 
papa’s knee, his interest, his affection? It had fallen out 
80 with other very good women. 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


297 


Ah, to narrow her kingdom, and shut others ort I As 
]!l love could be made better and finer by compressing it 
into one or two human hearts, instead of following the 
pattern He set, who so loved the world, the whole world, 
who bid the children first of all in to the feast. 

She uttered a little prayer, that Gk)d would keep Jier^ 
Then she took in all the pleasantness of the day, of the 
joy. 

“ We will stay at home this summer,*’ she said to her 
husband. “We will have a glad, delightful time with 
mother and the girls.” 

Everybody came in to see Dr. Kinnard’s baby. In the 
first year it would have been no great marvel : now it had 
the grace and rarity of a blessing withheld a while. 

It was a fine, pleasant-natured little thing, though not 
dowered with the brilliant beauty of Rose’s lost treasure. 
It was healthy, bright, and content. No nights spent in 
a crowded ball-room, no fashionably false dressing, no 
ruinous indulgence in heats and passionate tempers, or 
restless whims, had borne the due fruit of nervous fretful- 
ness. It slept, it ate, and grew, and was lazily happy. 

“ I never did see such a good baby ! ” grandmother 
would say hourly. “ It has Barton’s eyes, and, somehow, 
the rest of it looks like your sister Daisy. I never 
fancied Barton was veiy fond of babies before ; but no 
one could help loving this child.” 

The doctor brought Daisy over one morning, partly 
because Mrs. Nurse had been compelled to leave rather 
soon, and partly because he wanted her. Bessie was now 
so engrossed with her lover and her bright, piquant 
mother-in-law elect. The marriage had been set down 
for the middle of August ; and the bridal tour was to be 
Europe, — all of it. 

One day Mrs. Glyndon came fiying in. She did not 
seem to change, or grow older, or tire of her constant 
tariety and joumeyings. Now she was going to Colo* 


298 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM, 


rado with her husband, and would see all the wonders of 
the West before she returned. 

Nelly smiled with generous delight. 

“O Mrs. Kinnard! with a sudden accession of vigoi 
in her tone. “ You remember Van Alstyne, our hero of 
Severn Point? I met them when I was in New York — 
everybody says ‘ them,* now,** laughing, and raising hei 
eyebrows. 

“ Yes. We saw Mrs. Sherrard at the White Moun- 
tains.** 

“I am dreadfully disappointed in that handsome 
fellow. Mr. Glyndon insists that my heroes always come 
to grief. He had some fine capabilities. He was so cul- 
tivated and gentlemanly, that I do not see how he could 
choose such a woman.** 

“ Perhaps she chose him,** said Nelly mirthfully. 

“ So report says. There is a tint of scandal about 
her. She was divorced, and this large fortune was lefV 
her by some old man, while she was in Europe ; but quit^ 
a doubt is thrown upon the relationship of uncle. H-t 
was so fastidious too ; and she is undeniably loud. Sbf 
drives a pair of fast bays in the Park, takes up any of 
her gentleman friends, and acts quite as if she were ^ 
widow still. It is said there was a little difliculty at first 
but she insisted upon her ‘ train ; * and she is just the sort 
of woman to carry matters with a high hand. And ht 
flirts notoriously. Why in the world did they marry? I 
think such husbands and wives are a positive injury U' 
society.*’ 

Nelly thought of his theories of soul growth and deve 
opment, of companionship, and all the dangerous rest 
lessness. 

“lam verf sorry for one thing. You remember Elsi^ 
Graham? I thought her such a nice girl; and so shi 
was. But I believe some entanglement began at Seveiw 
Point : at least, she must have fallen in love with him, 


NELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM. 299 

ftnd they have been foolish enough to keep it up. She 
has refused two good offers of marriage since, and her 
mother is much distressed about her. They go out 
together, and she makes no secret of her preference ; 
rather prides herself on her constancy. Where will it 
end? I do pity Mrs. Graham. WTiy can’t Elsie have 
the sense to look at it with the world’s eyes ? Here she is, 
wasting all her sweet young life in a feverish dream, — a 
reprehensible passion for a married man, as there isn’t 
the least danger of Mrs. Van Alstyne ever dying.” 

“It is extremely sad,” returned NeUy, glancing fur- 
tively at her sister. 

“ And positively wicked. These things lower the tone 
of society so much when both parties are tolerably well 
off, and in good standing. No one seems quite brave 
enough to say, ‘ You shall not bring your pernicious doc- 
trines or shameful friendships in here.’ If the Grahams 
were poor, Elsie would lose caste at once. What a dif- 
ference a little money makes ! ” 

Daisy Endicott sat there, thinking, after the two wo- 
men went out on the porch. There had been a time 
when she was almost ready to vow eternal constancy to a 
dream, a memory ; when she felt that she would be pro- 
faned by any new kiss or caress. Suppose she had been 
his wife even, and he had insisted upon keeping up the 
friendship with Miss Graham, making new friendships 
with other women. Nay, while he seemed to be so drawn 
to her, perhaps he was giving tlie same glances, smiles, 
xnd meaning pressure of the hand, to others. 

She raised her head with an almost haughty grace, and 
looked the pure, open, honest day in the face. She even 
laughed lightly, proudly. Nothing of the old fancy 
remained : she did not long now to give it sepulture. The 
sweet, strong, true duties of life had crowded it out. 
She had come to a correct estimate of the man, — bril- 
liant, fascinating, witty, and tender, with that hollow, 


300 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


selfish tenderness of sensuous enjoyment %nd absorption. 
There was no respect or esteem for foi ndation-stonee ; 
and her regard had perished slowly, inasmuch as her 
faith had at first refused to receive the shock, but ver}^, 
very surely. His name did not even call up a wander- 
ing thrill. She had been deceived, because, in her utter 
innocence of the world and its wiles, she could not 
believe any man would be so basely, so cowardly, treach- 
erous ; and, having come to understand, there was no 
more temptation for her. H he were to appear before 
her now, in entire freedom, though her senses might be 
pleased with his handsome face, and musical, finely 
modulated voice, her soul would shrink with something 
akin to disgust, that he could so put on the semblance 
of nobleness. 

“ How bright and happy you look, my darling ! ’’ Nelly 
said, kissing her as she re-entered the room, in a little 
trepidation, it must be confessed. 

Daisy smiled cheerily. ‘ ‘ Why should I not be happy ? ** 
she asked. 

“ True,*' in a rather grave, wondering fashion. 

There was a sudden impulse in Daisy’s soul to tell her 
bit of experience ; but, after aU, why should she even give 
it that stamp of consequence ? It was like last j^ear’s way- 
side flower, that she had plucked, and carried in her hand 
until it withered. It would be false and morbid senti- 
ment to place it in prominence beside the roses of to-day. 

Dr, Kinnard went to Melrose Hall, and brought Maud 
home. He had visited her twice in the meanwhile. She 
was nearing fifteen now, quite tall, and not as thin as for- 
merly, but with much of the olden precision, that would 
always militate against grace. She had not made her- 
self quite the object of envy at school that she had 
desired. There were richer girls, and young ladies of 
higher social position, that she could not hope to extin- 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


801 


guish even her vaunted scholarship had hard work to 
hold its own. She had rendered herself conspicuous by 
over-dressing at first, and been very properly rebuked for 
it ; and her arrogance had drawn out a flow of schoolgirl 
satire. The path had not been one of roses. 

She was doomed to another disappointment. Aunt 
Adelaide had planned, long before, to have her spend the 
vacation with her. Mr. Garland had not proved the 
most tractable of husbands, however. The adverse win- 
ter had shorn him of much of his fictitious wealth. To 
feave herself, Mrs. Garland had been compelled to pur- 
chase the house. It was larger than they could afford to 
maintain : so she lowered her pride sufiSciently to take a 
gentleman and his wife to board. This was a success in 
another way, as it served to keep Mr. Garland at the 
highest point of good manners continually. She had 
spoken of Maud’s coming. 

“ I think it is hardly worth while for you to burthen 
yourself with her,” said Mr. Garland pompously, “ unless 
her father is willing to pay her board. If I were in good 
circumstances, I would be happy to entertain all youi 
relations ; but, as matters stand at present ” — 

“ I have only one relative whom I shall be likely to 
ask,” she returned with haughty dignity. “ I can afford 
to make the allowance of her board myself.” 

“ Oh! very well, veiy well,” with a great clearing of 
his throat, and an impatient rubbing of his hands. 

He had been deeply disappointed in having no chance 
to handle his wife’s money, and in finding that he could 
not impress her with his importance as easily as the first 
Mrs. Garland, who had actually trembled at his frown. 
Still it gave considerable weight to talk about “ my wife’s 
money.” 

On her part, there was a feeling of smothered but 
almost vengeful anger. She had been over-reached by 
ler own carelessness. She had asked no counsel, mads 


802 


NELLY KXNNABD'S E^NGDOM. 


but few inquiries, and thought mostly of the triumph ovei 
her brother-in-law. K it had all been as she expected , 
if she could have patronized and thrown into the shade ; 
if she could have given Maud an entree into grandeur 
and society : but there was nothing of importance in this 
rather commonplace life. She was a much greater lady 
at Edgerly, with her pony phaeton. The money in the 
house served to decrease her income, which was now 
barely enough for her personal expenses. She was Mrs. 
Garland, of course ; and she observed, with a kind of bit- 
ter contempt, that the world paid homage to the magical 
“Mrs.,” even if the husband was a nonentity. She had 
uo love to reconcile her to her keen disappointment, no 
little touches of romance, that, after all, serve to gild 
prosaic life wonderfully. 

There could be no tour for herself and Maud this sum- 
mer. Her boarders had gone to the seaside, and the house 
was undeniably dull ; but she asked Maud for a few weeks. 

Nelly gave the young girl a cordial welcome. Maud 
just touched her lips to her stepmother^ s. She had never 
given her one hearty kiss : such effusiveness, in her opin- 
ion, was not only underbred, but silly. She glanced at the 
new baby, and supposed it was a great care ; did not see 
what there was in babies to rouse any one’s enthusiasm, 
and had never cared for them. 

Her room was in perfect order. NeUy had ventured 
apon a trifle pf re-arrangement to take off the stiffness. 
The parlor was opened invitingly. 

“We must be very good and patient with her. Barton,” 
Nelly said with a pleading look in her eyes. “ She will 
miss Aunt Adelaide so much ! ” 

“ Do you know, Nell, I feel as if I should like to shake 
her until all the nonsense and primness came out of her, 
and the insufferable air that borders on insolence ? She 
shall pay you outward respect, at least ; ” and the doctor’s 
face flushed, while his tone was most decisive. 


NELLY KDTNARD’S KINGDOM. 


303 


“ O my darling ! don’t do or say any thing cross, foi 
my sake ; ” and her arms were around his neck. 

“ Nelly, you twist me around your finger, just as Jane, 
wise woman, said you did ; ” yet he looked as if the pro- 
cess was not altogether uncomfortable. 

“ We have so much happiness and joy I ” in a tremu- 
lous tone, and with dewy eyes. 

“ And we do not deprive her of any ; but, somehow— 
My darling, you taught me to love Bertie, teach me 
to love Maud.” 

“ I will do my best, God helping me.” 

So the doctor asked Maud to drive with him, and tried, 
in various ways, to interest her. She was cold and super- 
cilious, but quite rigid on what she considered her own 
rights. 

“ I must have some new clothes,” she announced a 
few days after her return. 

Dr. Kinnard looked helplessly at his wife. 

“ I wonder if you would not rather shop in New York 
with your aunt? ” inquired Nelly graciously. 

Maud stared. “ I suppose it would be as well. There 
is no one here to attend to any thing.” 

A quick, offended light blazed in Dr. Kinnard* s eyes. 

“ I should be very glad to do any thing for you, Maud, 
where you like to trust me,” said Nelly in the kindliest 
of tones, glancing up imploringly. 

“ I will not trouble you.” 

It seemed as if the father must resent the impertinence. 
Nelly quickly interposed. 

“ Maud,” she replied, — and her voice trembled with the 
effort, though it was clearly sweet, — “ you must remem- 
ber that I stand in a mother’s place to you, and that no 
duty is a trouble, but a pleasure instead. Neither am I 
so ignorant of the needs and desires of young girls : J 
have had my own younger sisters for companions. You 
will miss Aunt Adelaide gieatly ; but I want you to be* 


304 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


lieve, even if you cannot give me a daughter's affection., 
that I do at least desire a friend’s place in your esteem. 
I shall try to be every thing to you that you will allow.’' 

Maud sat in silence ; and the storm was stayed. Nevei 
had Dr. Kinnard honored his wife more than at that 
moment of beautiful womanly dignity, softened by the 
noblest part of charity, — love in a brave action, denying 
the baser portion of self its importance. 

Dr. Kinnard gave his daughter a hundred dollars, and 
saw her safely seated in the car, having telegraphed to 
her aunt to meet her at her journey’s end. 

“ I daresay she will think me stingy. I have been 
considering this matter, my dear wife ; and I want your 
counsel. I am not a rich man, and, doubtless, never shall 
be. What do you think of my setting aside a certain 
portion for Maud, and not allowing her to overstep the 
boundary? It would be no more than simple justice to 
the others.” And he glanced up with a perplexed air. 

“ Why, yes. I think that would be right.” 

“ Her tuition is three hundred a year. Allowing a 
hundred for travelling and incidental expenses, and two 
hundred for clothes, would make six hundred. It is all 
I can afford to spend upon her. There is Bertie to be 
educated as well.” 

“ That seems to be a just division,” returned Nelly 
frankly. “ And we girls hardly had a hundred a year to 
spend on our clothes until we were married. We didn’t 
look beggarly, either,” and she gave a rarely humorous 
smile. “I think Aunt Adelaide has been very injudi- 
cious in Maud’s attire. There is no need of a little gfrl 
in her position going dressed in silks and the finest of 
lace. But I suppose we cannot make any great reform 
at present. I trust somewhat to her good sense as she 
grows older.” 

“ If that will not satisfy Aunt Adelaide, the rest must 
come out of Maud’s own money: of that I am re- 
solved.” 


NELLY KINNAED'^S KINGDOM. 


805 


It came to an issue sooner than they expected. Mrs, 
Garland had the good sense to see, that, at present, it 
would not be wisdom to take charge of Maud, granting 
that her father might be induced to consent. She could 
go to school for three years ; and, after that. Aunt Gar- 
land could “bring her out.” By that time, the interest 
of her money would be a considerable sum, — enough to 
support her, independent of her father. 

“ But a paltiy hundred dollars I ” she said when Maud 
stated her affairs. “ You want a nice summer silk and a 
winter silk. We will do our best with them, and then 
write to your father. I daresay that remarkable baby is 
swaddled in the finest of linen and lace.” 

Aunt Adelaide had discovered a wonderful dressmaker, 
— a poor young girl with charming taste and deft ability, 
and who worked for a dollar a day and her board. The 
two dresses were skilfully fashioned, one or two altered ; 
and then the doctor was applied to for more means. 

He explained his plan, and enclosed a check for fifty 
dollars. There would be but fifty more to last her until 
next July. He particularly desired that Aunt Adelaide 
would purchase her some useful school-dresses. 

“It is just as I expected, my dear Maud,” said her 
aunt angrily. “ You lost your best friend when you lost 
your mother. And, if your father had treated me as I 
should have been treated, I do not think I should ever 
have left you. I always told him that I was quite ready to 
devote my whole life to ‘ my poor dead sister’s ’ children. 
But he had to be foolish enough to marry that ignorant 
young thing, who rules him completely, and who grudges 
you every dollar. I don’t know how you will be able to 
endure it.” 

Maud cried a little, and believed herself a veiy ill-used 
young woman a cruel stepmother. 

But, after two or three weeks, she decided secretly, that 
it was not extravagantly delightful here. There were no 
26 « 


306 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


exliilarating drives in the Park, no stylish callers with 
gossip of opera and theatre. The shopping was soon 
done ; and she did not know any girls ith whom she 
could have a good time. She began to feel very lone- 
some, and wonder whether being “ Dr. Kinnard’s daugh- 
ter was not more enlivening. Still her pride would not 
admit of her going home before the last moment. 

Mrs. Garland made her husband take them to Long 
Branch for a day or two. Maud looked at the elegant 
dressing and showy equipages with an en\ious eye. ISIr. 
Garland was no longer the devoted lover of a rich 
woman, but a commonplace, selfish husband, with a strait- 
ened purse. Maud’s quick eye di’ew rather unfavorable 
contrasts between him and her father. Altogether the 
visit was not as productive of evil as it might have been 
under more favorable circumstances. Aunt Adelaide 
was growing fretful. 

At home, it must be admitted, they felt relieved. Ber- 
tie was developing into a well-behaved, chivalrous boy, 
and absolutely improving in good looks. Grandmother 
was a little childish and captious at times ; but no one ran 
against the shaip points when they bristled outwardly. 
Moreover, she was coming to have a great respect for the 
Endicott girls. To think that Miss Bessie, without a 
penny, was about to marry into a rich and stylish family, 
and that her mother-in-law elect thought the ground was 
hardly good enough for “ Queenie ” to walk on ; that 
she should be taken to London and Paris and Rome 
where it was hardly likely Dr. Kinnard’s wife would ever 
go ; that she should receive this wonderful good-fortune 
in such a simply pretty way, without being at all “ puffed 
up with pride,” — ^was quite a marvel. When she came 
over, she always would dress up grandmother in carnation- 
pinks and heliotrope. 

“I am too old,” Mrs. Kinnard would say. “Put 
them in your own shining hair.” 


NELLY KINNARD’s KINGDOM. 


307 


“ One is never too old to be made pretty/* she would 
rejoin in her rapid, rippling waj , that reminded you of 
nothing so much as a swallow’s flight in the sunshine. 

They had been greatly at loss in choosing a name for 
the wonderful baby. Every thing, almost, had been “ tried 
on,” At last, they settled to the appellations of the two 
grandmothers, — Frances Annie. It was to be christ- 
ened in the new church ; and dear old papa was coming 
over for the Sunday. 

“ Nell}^,” said her husband, “ I have asked Mr. Dudley 
to stand for baby. I think he was very much pleased. 
I don’t know a man that I honor and esteem higher than 
Arthur Dudley, except your father ; ” and he smiled. 

“ Oh, how strange ! I don’t know” — in a wondering, 
hesitating way. “But it can’t make any diflference. I 
asked Daisy this morning. We have gi’own so near to- 
gether this summer, and she adores baby. Besides, she is 
a good, conscientious girl.” 

“ I wish it could make a difibrence ; ” and there was a 
breathless impatience in the doctor’s tone. “ If it only 
would ! Why can’t they see how they are fltted for one 
another? She is the only ‘ clergyman’s wife ’ that your 
mother has raised ; and I cannot bear to see her miss her 
vocation,” 


CHAPTER XXI. 


** She is not dead, and she is not wed, 

And she loves me now, and she loved me then: 

At the very first word her sweet lips said, 

My heart grew youthful again.” — Owen Meeedith. 

Abthue Dudley, after the first keenness of his disap- 
pointment, had thrown himself, heart and soul, into his 
church-work. The new building had come opportunely. 
It contented him in staying. It brought him into active, 
friendly interests with the Kinnards again. He understood 
now, by Daisy’s continued avoidance of him, that her 
refusal was in earnest ; not from coquetry, or any girlish 
ignorance, or even momentary offence. 

He saw so little of her through the winter I During the 
summer, he exchanged with Mr. Duncan ; and, though 
warmly pressed to stay at the rectory, he had declined 
30urteously, with the better grace because he had prom- 
ised to spend the time with a friend. He and Miss 
Endicott had been pleasantly polite ; but the old cordiality 
was wanting. 

Then they had gone through another winter, meeting on 
rare occasions. Daisy staid so little at Edgerly now! 
It was not until the birth of the baby, that she apx)eared 
to resume her olden place. Then she rode out with the 
doctor, and drove Nelly in the pony-carriage. 

One day Dr. Kinnard had brought her to inspect the 
church. The general depression of business had been 
rather in their favor. One and another, while out of em- 
ployment, had given the lal ^r of their hands ; and, on 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


309 


St. James’s Day, the church was to he consecrated, 
though the tower was not yet completed, and many little 
things remained. The windows had been put in (nearly 
all of them gifts) ; and the wood- work was being rapidly 
finished. 

The 3nain part was designed for a permanent structure ; 
but, at the chancel end, a temporary room had been 
erected to serve for the Sunday school and business- 
meetings at present, and until the church should need 
enlarging. 

Daisy and the doctor were rambling about, and com- 
menting. There was much to praise, and very little to 
blame. It was simple, neat, yet not at all common. 

“ The ladies are to have the carpet all ready,” said the 
doctor. “ The chancel furniture is to be a gift from 
Mrs. Warner’s mother ; and the — O Dudley ! ” 

Daisy turned with a quick rift of color, and a smile, so 
like the Daisy of old times, that he held out his hand with 
a sudden, cordial movement ; and in that clasp they seemed 
to renew their friendship. 

“ Did she like the windows? What did she think of 
the color of the wall? They were to have some illumi- 
nated emblems in the chancel. The organ was to stand 
here, and the choir just within reach. He liked so to hear 
the voices? Would she be likely to stay — or to come 
over to the consecration? ” 

He asked that hesitatingly, and stooped to pick some- 
thing from the floor. 

“ We are going to keep her for a while,” said Dr. 
Kinnard. “ Mrs. Kinnard and the baby cannot do with- 
out her.” 

“Have you decided upon the christening?” 

“ Yes. We had delayed on account of the diflSculty of 
finding a name ; ” and the doctor laughed. 

A few da^'S after, Daisy had gone to do an errand, ex« 
pecting to meet the doctor, and come back with him ; buli 


310 


NELLY KLNNARD'S KINGDOM, 


ftfter waiting as long as she thought prudent, she started 
to walk home. Going through a bit of rather dusky 
woods, to make the way shorter, she had con:«e upon Mr. 
Dudley again. 

“ If you have no especial objection, I wiU see yon 
home,’* he said in a tone quite free from hesitation, 
kind, quiet, but no more. 

“ Is it hardly worth while? I am so near now I ” And 
she made a wavering pause. 

“ It is worth while if it does not displease you.” 

“ No : I only thought ” — 

They were both silent for some seconds. Then he 
began to ask about the household. Maud had come home. 

“ I am very glad Miss Grove married, and went away. 
I think the doctor feels more free, more certainly the 
master of his own house. And that little girl has been 
made too old for a child.” 

Thus talking, they reached the wide-open, hospitable 
gate, with its great urns of flowers on either hand. He 
turned with her. A wild, strange beat fluttered up from 
her heart. 

“ Will you come in? I think supper must be ready.” 

She made a great eflbrt to say this, when not to have 
done it would have been ungracious. 

“ Thank you, not to-night,” in a warm, cheerful tone. 
Then, reaching out, he took her hand. 

It ti’embled in a kind of frightened manner, but was not 
cold. 

He knew she stood there a few seconds ; for he heard 
her footfall on the step. She was not distant nor of- 
fended. 

He walked slowly homeward, studying upon the ren- 
counter. He had never put himself in her way : he had 
too much high-bred delicacy for that. But, since the 
episode at Severn Point, she had had no actual lover : that 
he knew well. What if, after all these months — But 
no. He would not dream of it. 


NELLY KINNAKD’S KINGDOM. 


811 


“ My wife’s sister is to stand,” Dr. Kinnard said, when 
he had made arrangements for the service. “We have 
kept her for that.” 

He had not the conrage to call her “ Daisy” to Mr, 
Dudley’s face. 

“ We want you to come to tea. No one else will 
be in.” 

“ Very well. I shall be happy to.” 

Nelly had mentioned the matter with unwonted trepida- 
tion, ending rather meekly with, “ If you do not mind.” 

“ Mind ! Why should I? ” 

Daisy Endicott meant to put a little careless surprise 
in her tone ; but it was not quite that. 

Mr. and Mrs. Endicott came over for the Sunday. A 
quiet, solemn service it was ; and they two stood strangely 
side by side, never once glancing at each other, but try- 
ing to think only of the little child, yet unconsciously 
taking a wider range, both, perhaps, understanding what 
they might have been to each other. 

She was very self-possessed at supper, neither coloring 
nor trembling when any incident brought them nearer. 
In truth, she wondered at herself. 

“It is because he has forgotten so completely,” she 
thought. “ He has forgotten, and it is better : one could 
not remember so long without any hope.” 

On the Thursday following was the consecration. One 
of the church-wardens was to have a dinner prepared for 
the clergy. Mrs. Newbury had arranged to give them a 
supper, as there was to be a service at four. And if Miss 
Endicott would only come over, and help her about the 
entertaining I 

“You are used to clergymen’s wants and ways,” she 
said. “ I shall feel so much better and safer, if you are 
there.” 

So Daisy went, and made herself not only useful, but 
agreeable. The girlish timorousness had been succeeded 


312 


NELIiY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


by a sweet and genial graciousness, that forgets all about 
itself in rendering others at ease, and then learns that 
this is happiness. 

Arthur Dudley watched her. Not handsome and stately, 
like Mrs. Kinnard ; not with that dazzling wild-bird flutter 
and lightness of Queen Bess ; but a womanly serenity, a 
sort of everyday refinement and ease, as if it was no best 
garment for company, — just the one to adorn a clergy- 
man’s house, the friend and companion for all time. 

The brethren sat until quite in the evening. Two or 
three were to take trains ; two were to be Mr. Dudley’s 
guests, and were sent home in the carriage. And, pres- 
ently, they had all said good-night, save one. 

“ Are you going. Miss Endicott? I want to walk over 
to Dr. Kinnard’ s.” 

“ Oh, yes I ” she cried eagerly ; and then went for her 
hat. 

It was a soft, summer night, with a young moon rising 
ti’emulously over the tree-tops. Somewhere in the edge 
of the woods a whippoorwill sang, mingled with the note 
of a late homeward-going thrush — or was she croon- 
ing over her birdlings? Arthur Dudley drew her hand 
through his arm in that manly fashion of appropriation 
that somehow takes possession of a woman for the time. 
Once she stumbled over some half-bare tree-root grow- 
ing across the path, and he caught her quickly. Both 
exclaimed “ Oh ! ” with a little laugh, and, recovering, 
walked on. It broke the spell of silence ; and they went 
to saying amusing trifles to one another. 

Dr. Kinnard had just come in. He would drive Mr. 
Dudley home, and they would have their talk going 
along. 

“ Good-night! ” she said, in a sort of joyous, ringing 
tone, as if she was at peace with everybody. 

“ I do believe she is still to be won,” Arthur Dudley 
thought to himself ‘‘ Her heart has never been touclied.’* 


NELLY KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


313 


He made some excuse to come over the next clay. No, 
she had not changed, but was frank and genial, like her 
olden self. He would be wary, now, and win her by slow 
degrees. 

But after a little she had to return home. Bess’s 
wedding was at hand, — gay, enchanting Queen Bess, 
who was hardly more than a child. 

They all liked Eugene Mallory so much. Yet there 
was an awe in the thought of Bessie going away fcr 
years. The others had not fluttered so far, but that, now 
and then, they could look into the old home-nest. 

And then it sounded so curious to hear Mrs. Mallory 
settle what she was to have by saying, “You can pur- 
chase such a thing in Paris for a mere trifle : I would 
not bother about it. I would not waste my time making 
dresses : 3"Ou can get them as you want them, fresh, with- 
out any of the crumpling of packing. I would not have 
this or that,’’ until she narrowed the trousseau to the 
smallest dimensions. Was it her delicate way of not 
taking much for Bessie now, when she was to have such 
an abundance afterwards? 

So she went to church in simple white, one morning, 
and came back Mrs. Mallory. There was a church full to 
be sure; but they did not see any blaze of diamonds, 
or shimmer of pearls. There were some real orange- 
flowers in her hair, and a cluster on her bosom ; but she 
looked sweet and stately, as if she had come back to her 
child’s name, and was a pure white lily. 

They had cake and wine and kisses. Mrs. Mallory wag 
so dazzling in her old-lady brightness, that no one could 
be sad ; and she talked about the steamer, and the voyage, 
and the time of reaching Liverpool, with as much noncha- 
lance as if she had said a palace-car and Niagara. They 
were to spend a day or two in New York. The Duncans 
W'ent back with them in the afternoon. 

“ I cannot believe it, mother,” Mr. Endicott said as he 


314 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


sat in his quiet study after supper. “ Only the other day 
she was a wild little thing. Don’t you remember how 
she used to swing round, holding on my arm, and scam- 
per off like a kitten? Let me see, how did it all begin? 
Stephen Duncan came here first, and asked me to take his 
brothers ; and then — and then — Mother, are we gi*ow- 
} ng old ? It is so strange to have all these married daugh- 
ters and then’ husbands ! It’s a queer sort of addition, 
that, after all, leaves you but very little, I think : ” and he 
paused to wipe his eyes with his white silk handkerchief. 
Mrs. Mallory had brought him a dozen, the best that 
could be found. 

Mrs. Endicott came around, and kissed him. 

“How fortunate mat Edith was born I ” with a rift 
of simple gladness. “ For, you see, there will be many 
years before she is grown.” 

The next thing for Nelly Kinnard was her step-daugh- 
ter’s return, a week or so before school began. Maud 
would not have confessed it to a living soul ; but she was 
really thankful to get away from Aunt Garland’s dull 
house. Her hitherto narrow life and experience had 
widened somewhat; while Aunt Adelaide, fretted and 
soured, drew closer within her shell, and was correspond- 
ingly bitter, though she tried to assume a demeanor of 
lofty indifference. There were still many things in life 
that she could have made the best of, if it had been her 
nature to make the best of incongruous materials, to pick 
out bits of comfort and brightness among every-day inci- 
dents ; but it was not, and never would be. And, all this 
time, she held a grudge against Dr. Kinnard, as if he, 
somehow, had forced her into her present dissatisfaction. 

Maud came from that austere, unloving house to her 
father’s, so radiant with an atmosphere of kindliness. 
Bertie was quite a little gentleman. Grandmother might 
have a few childish ways, to be sure ; but they softened her, 
and were really no detriment. Dr. Kinnard evinced a 


NELLY KINNARD’s KINGDOM. 


315 


decided disposition to be jolly. He was full of odd little 
jests and half caresses ; he no longer shut himself in his 
“ den/’ and locked the door. The parlor was always 
open and inviting; neighbors were dropping in with tits 
of outflowing social life ; and Mrs. Kinnard was in the 
midst, the sun around which they converged. 

When Aunt Adelaide trained Maud in carping, critical 
ways, she little dreamed that the weapon might be 
turned against herself. So true it is, that we often get 
back just the measure we have meted out. She was 
too sharp and keen, too prematurely a woman, not to 
remark the contrast. There was an air of distinction and 
breeding about Mrs. Kinnard ; and a sense of culture 
and refinement pervaded the house. The talk was not of 
the stock-market, or recent political developments, rings, 
and swindlers. For the first time, the forlorn, narrow, 
empty heart was stirred with a quivering sense of some- 
thing it had never known, or been taught to look upon in 
a distorted light. No one tjTannized over her : no one 
nipped the breath of pleasure by snapping frost, oi 
snatched it away with grasping selfishness. She could 
not even make a mart^T of herself ; there were neither 
cross nor fagots, chains nor cells. No one read her 
wearisome lectures on the meanness and wrong-doing of 
her neighbors ; but she was taken to ride, asked into the 
parlor, and introduced to guests, and found Mr. Dudley 
absolutely entertaining. Ah, Aunt Adelaide ! it was in 
3’our power to overla}^ the fine gold with the dust ano 
rubbish of falsehood and injustice ; but j^ou could not 
take it utterly away ; some day it would shine out all the 
brighter. 

She packed her trunk again ; and her father accompanied 
her to school. Her heart swelled with a new sense of 
loneliness. They were all at home, bright and happy , 
and she— '• 

‘‘ Well, I am glad that is oflT my mind,” confessed Dr 
Kinnard on his return. 


316 


NELLY KINNAED'S KINGDOM. 


Nelly glanced up with a light in her eyes, partly amase« 
ment, partly delicate reproach. 

“There, I know just what you want to say, Nelly; ** 
and the odd puckers settled in his face along with a per- 
ceptible flush. “ You are so much of an angel, that you 
can love long beforehand, in season, and out of season, 
and tmst for the fruit to grow in midwinter depths, I do 
believe ; but I have a good deal of the old, unregenerate 
Adam in me. I have absolutely longed to give Maud a 
good scolding, to strip off her furbelows, put on a plain 
calico gown, and set her in some little girl’s place until 
she knew how to behave herself properly. I cannot under- 
stand your patience and sweetness with her. Is it really 
best?” 

“ I think it is. At all events, I want you to let me try 
it freely, without grudging. There are some fruits and 
flowers, of which the slow, natural growth is so much better 
than the forced, hot-house production. She has been so 
long trained awry, that, if we wrench off all the branches 
suddenly, there will onlv be a bare, unsightly stump left. 
At her age, she must learn to know and judge for herself. 
I think I have seen some indications of a change since 
her return from her aunt’s.” 

“O Nelly!” and the doctor gave a mellow, sweet- 
natured laugh : “ you do hang a hope on the smallest peg 
of any one I ever saw. This one isn’t bigger than a thorn 
on a rosebush, and of the same quality.” 

“Butj'ou must admit that it is near the rose?” and 
she looked up with a meriy archness in her brilliant face. 

“Well, I thought her terrible sometimes, rude and 
ungracious.” 

“ I think she was occasionally moved by so strange and 
new a feeling, that the ungraciousness cropped out as a 
sort of bristling armor, with the instinctive desire of self- 
defence. She has been trained to expect constant warfare 
l*om us; and she is on the lookout for it: so you see 


NELLY KINNAED'S KINGDOM. 


317 


It is not easy to throw down her arms at the first pleasant 
word, and believe all at once. And when she finds 
that we do not expect her to, that we are willing for her to 
try us, but that the love is always there, waiting for her, 
I do believe she will take it some day.” 

“ Oh, you wise little woman ! You do set silken snares 
for the feet of the wary : the unwary walk into your net 
without an}^ snares at all. Where is my little moppet, 
Frank? I must console myself with some innocent- 
minded Itisses, that have in them no flavor of new gowns 
or cunning intentions.” 

The next bit of brightness was the tidings of a baby at 
the Duncans’, — a little boy come in the stead of the 
other given up to the Lord, to be set in his garden. 

At the rector}" they were oddly changed and quiet ; yet 
they did not narrow their lives. On the contrary, it 
seemed as if a breadth and richness came to Mr. Endicott, 
instead of any decline in power. He had used his life so 
wisely, so sweetly ! He was asked to preach a sermon 
here and there, and had several pamphlets printed, that 
attracted considerable attention, not only for their sound 
doctrine, but the ways and methods of practical usefulness 
set forth. 

Then came a call to a city church, with quite an ac- 
cession of salary. 

“Wky, I don’t need to consider,” he said with his 
sweet, unworldly smile, when his wife spoke of it. “My 
people are not tired of me : why should I go? No spot 
could ever be so dear to us as this old rectory , though 
it is something like a last year’s bird’s-nest. Religion 
isn’t simply bringing people into the kingdom ; it is keep- 
ing them there, teaching them the precious meanings, the 
use of the promises, the value of the prayers. I can dtf 
that, and we shall have enough to live upon : so whal 
more do we need, except that ‘the everlasting anns' 
shall be about us?” 

27 * 


318 


NELLY KESnSTAED'S KINGDOM. 


What more, truly ! It would be like spoiling the silken 
silver hair with strange, obtrusive dyes, or painting the 
soft, pink, wrinkled cheeks with brilliant carmine. They 
had come to the autumn ; and they liked the shelter of the 
friendl^^ trees that had grown about them : no smart new 
iron fences or brick walls could cast so pleasant and fra- 
grant a shade. 

Daisy Endicott was glad, too, for many reasons, that 
she could not put into words. Life had come to have 
higher and fuller meanings for her. She had reached hei 
twentieth birthday, with a little awe and great gladness. 
She was beginning to see what there was in the world, to 
take it, and live in the midst of the delight, not to be 
asking whether there would be bread for to-morrow, or 
sunshine, or any scantiness on account of the bountiful 
to-da3^ 

There had been no great and heroic struggle for peace. 
Little by little, she had grown out of the secret restless- 
ness : the way had become lighter and clearer ; and she 
saw that this desire and pain and sorrow had not been 
love, in any true sense, and that she had overcome it all. 
It did not even pain her to hear that Van Alstyne was 
married. All the others had bewailed his choice a little. 
She understood in the depths of her soul how much 
better it was that his wife should not have that tender, 
(dinging, loving nature, but be able to satisfy herself with 
outside pleasures. Of them all, she pitied poor Elsie 
tlraham, who was casting away her soul for a vain shadow. 

Daisy had taken her friend back with a clear, honest 
rejoicing, rather than any thrill of delight. He was so 
purely friendly. She had given him a great pang and 
sorrow ; and to know that he had outgrown it was a 
present joy to her. 

They went through a very pleasant autumn. There 
seemed so little to do at the rectory ! Gertie and Edith 
were in school ; there was a good, experienced woman in 


NELLY KINNAKD’S KINGDOM. 319 

the kitchen ; and Mrs, Endicott had lost none of her 
olden art of management. Daisy fluctuated between 
West Side and Edgerl3\ But then Fan was alwa3?s 
happy and prosperous ; the children were well ; Aunt and 
Uncle Churchill were good company ; and there was such 
a wide and friendly life spreading out before her. Nelly 
seemed rather more alone ; and then they two were nearer 
in age. Daisy embroidered for the baby, did thi^i or that 
trifle for Nelly, and went every week, to spend, at least, 
one day with her. She was beginning to look upon her 
future life as settled, — this vibrating from one to the 
other, and taking a kindly interest in her sisters’ chil- 
dren. 

Dr. Kinnard looked on with a shrewd gleam of fore- 
sight, 3"et at times a little puzzled. They were too frank 
for lovers. There were no shy, pretty embarrassments 
on Daisy’s part, none of that half-transparent planning 
on Mr. Dudley’s. Yet he seemed always to drop in on 
the days devoted to Daisy ; and he, not infrequently, drove 
her to the station at night. On rare occasions he went 
over to the rectory, but not with any lover-like persist- 
ency. 

“ If they do not see, they will be the blindest people 
in the world. He likes Daisy so much ! ” was the doc 
tor’s vexed comment. 

Meanwhile the holidays were approaching. What 
would Maud choose to do ? 

She made her election. Miss North, her room-mate, 
had asked her for the ten days, and she wished to go. 
Not a word about Aunt Adelaide. 

“ I do not know that I quite approve of her going away 
with strange girls,” said the doctor decisively. “ She 
had better come home. You do not think so, I can see 
by 3'oui face.” 

“Is it so much of a barometer?” asked Nelly, smil- 
ing. “Well, this is what I do think exactly. Yon 


320 


NELLY KINNAllD’S KINGDOM. 


have not been to Melrose Hall this season : so suppose 
you take a journey thither, and see this Miss North in an 
incidental wa}". If you can approve of her, I should let 
Maud go. Her great need is companions of her own 
age.” 

“ But she ought to take some kind of interest in her 
;)wn home,” was the rather dissatisfied reply. 

Perhaps she will in time,” 

“ Well, I will tell her that she owes the pleasure to 
you.” 

‘‘ You will do DO such thing,” returned Nelly quickly. 

That would spoil it for her at once. No, I am quite 
willing to remain in the background.” 

“ But she ought to be made to feel that she owes you 
some kind of respect;” and the doctor paused to study 
his wife’s amused face. 

“ My dear Barton, there are many things that you 
cannot force into people’s souls. We may sow virtues 
all along the wayside ; but if we have the childish habit 
of digging them up every little while, to see how they are 
progressing, they cannot take firm root.” 

“ I freely admit there is a good deal of contrariness to 
human nature.” 

“It is not altogether that. Children dislike to have 
the leading-strings constantly dangled about their necks. 
If you can place some good in their way, and let them 
think they are the actual discoverers, they take to it twice 
as kindly. Isn’t it sometimes a good deal of vanity on 
our part to insist that they shall always recognize our 
share in it? I do believe in a wise freedom.” 

“With a managing hand underneath. Ah, you wise 
woman! I shall begin to suspect you of practising your 
delicate art on me presently.” 

“Yet you admit that my system is an improvement on 
4unt Adelaide’s?” 

He laughed pleasantly, and kissed her in token of 
assent. 


NELL? KINNARD’S KINGDOM. 


321 


The call at Melrose Hall was a decided success. 

“ I do think, my dear,” he said afterward, “ that Maud 
actually begins to improve. I was surprised when I saw 
her friend, — one of those cordial, good-hearted, jolly 
girls, in plain attire, whose sensibleness strilies you at 
once. And Maud wants to ask her home next summer. 
It seems there is a great family of these North children * 
and Miss Kitty, about sixteen, is the eldest. ‘And, since 
Maud never had any childhood, the sooner she can get 
back to its shadow, the better. Aunt Adelaide is not 
very well ; and I think now, Maud’s visit of last summer 
was not a brilliant success. I do hope it has not turned 
out a poor marriage ; for Aunt Adelaide was worthy of a 
better fate. Still she has no one but herself to blame. 
She scouted the idea of my making any inquiries con- 
cerning Mr. Garland’s real standing. I must also tell 
you that Maud inquired very kindly after you and the 
baby.” 

Nelly’s eyes beamed. 

“ I think it will all come around right, if we have 
patience. While I should never try to draw Maud away 
from her aunt, I stiU think a diversity of interest better. 
And, if she should come to have a strong one at home, I 
shall feel amply repaid.” 

There was a pleasant Christmas, with the usual fes- 
tivities. Mr. Dudley managed to get over to the chil- 
di-en’s festival, at Mr. Endicott’s. Daisy had been her 
father’s vicegerent; and as Mr. Dudley watched her 
pretty, helpful ways, the old idea came over him, with 
tlie longing that he had quite put away, he fancied, — to 
have her for his wile, the beneficent spirit of his own 
home. 

She had never given a ay sign or token that it might be. 
He could not risk anotb ir misunderstanding: the friend- 
liness was so mucii better than nothing. But if she 
could have loved him ; if she could love him now I If 


322 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


he could di*aw her to him in that frank, sweet manner, 
and have her say the one word ! 

Yet they were unconsciously coming nearer. K some 
incident would only open their eyes! Dr. Kinnard 
fretted over it, and could hardly keep from making some 
overt demonstration, but was held back by Nelly's finer 
delicacy and patience, that always came like an inspira- 
tion. 

And yet the first hint Daisy had of it came in 
jesting gossip. Other people began to wonder. 

She paused suddenly in her serene and happy living. 
Did he care ? Did she want him to care ? 

There was a confused and painful sensation. She was 
glad to get away alone, where she could look the terror 
in the face, where no eyes could see her burning cheeks. 
If he went quite out of her existence again — 

The question was to come sooner than she thought. 
He received a call to a flourishing Western city, — a 
church to be built up out of much the same material as 
^lere at Edgerly, save that it would be larger, more widely 
known, aflbrd him a greater sphere of usefulness, per- 
haps. They urged him very strongly. Some other man 
could do his work here, and he might be of more service 
there. 

Dr. Kinnard vetoed the plan at once. “ K it is for a 
larger salar}^, Dudley,” he said in his straightforward 
way, “half a dozen of the present subscriptions shall be 
mcreased.” 

“ No, it _fe not that. Do not suspect me of such meree 
nary motives, my dear friend.” 

“Then, Dudley,” for the doctor could keep silence no 
longer, “ my advice to you is, to go on with the rectory, 
and marry a nice pleasant girl, who will just fit into the 
niche of a clergj^man's wife, and proceed with your work 
here. I thinly you can do both.” 

Arthur Dudley colored vi^ddly. 


NELLY KINNARD’s KINGDOM. 


328 


He went over to consult Mr. Endicott. Daisy sat in a 
corner of the study, crocheting a little tippet for some 
of her parish poor. 

“ No, don’t go,” Mr. Dudley said with a gesture of 
the hand. “You may be able to help us to a decision.” 

She resumed her seat and her work, and listened. 
What came over her? A kind of dismay at first, then a 
quick sense of loss and loneliness. Was he more than 
a friend to her? 

Dinner was announced before they were through. 
Daisy rose with averted face, and tried to compose her 
tumultuous feelings. Mr. Dudley had been reading his 
friend’s letter descriptive of the place and the work. 
Mr. Endicott had said, “ It may be your duty to go.” 

She understood presently how it was with her. The 
hazy pleasantness cleared up sharp and distinct. With 
Mr. Van Alstyne it had been a dazzling glimpse of pos- 
sible love, fervent, delicious, but comprehending nothing 
beyond, — a supremely selfish delight. And this was so 
different. Yes, she would like to enter into this man’s 
life, the loving, s}unpathizing, keeping his home pretty 
and neat and cheerful, as mamma had done in her 
sphere, reading and talking to him, taking part in that 
wider work, the whole world. Every thing would be 
made more gacred and beautiful by sharing it with him. 
A sense of soul-life revealed and brought close, an awak- 
ening to a great richness, a consciousness that tluilled, 
but wavered not, that here might be her abiding-place. 

Might be ! Ah, what if it was too late ? 

If he had taken her at her word ; for in this friendly 
demean'or of the last year she could not recall one lover- 
like look or act, one tone warmer than the clear good 
Christian fellowship. They had ridden and walked to- 
gether : there had been opportunities — 

Lilie a swift rushing tide it came over her. Whether 
he went or staid, no matter what his duty or conditian, 
slic would be shut out : she had shut herself out. 


324 


NELLY KTNNABD’S KINGDOM. 


She seemed to draw long breaths in an unillumined 
polar solitude. She was hurt and chilled ; and yet it had 
been her own sad mistake. Would God give her the 
grace to live out of this, and ever be calmly happy again ? 

She helped about clearing away the dinner-dishes. 
She could not go back to the study again ; it would seem 
strange to sit in her own room alone. If she had an 
errand to Fan’s, or to Mrs. Fairlie’s. But no : she could 
not talk on pleasant indifferent subjects. Then some one 
came for papa, an urgent summons. 

“ Don’t go yet, Dudley. I want you to look over that 
new commentar}% — Come in, Daisy, and keep him com- 
pany while I am gone. Let me see — where did I lay my 
gloves?” 

Daisy knew, and brought them. He stooped to kiss her 
cheek, then gave her an almost startled look, 

“ Why, childie, are you not paler than usual? ” 

She was brilliant then ; and they both laughed a little, 
he blaming his old eyes. Then she took her seat in the 
corner, and went on with her work. Mr. Dudley turned 
the leaves of the book. The fire in the grate sent out a 
ruddy glow ; and some pale yellow bars of sunshine lay on 
the floor. Neither of them could begin a conversation : 
so the ticking of the clock alone broke the silence. 

Arthur Dudley was thinking it over. He knew now 
that he should never care to marrj^ any woman save Daisy 
Endicott. Love and marriage wej’e sacraments to him, 
not to be profaned by the mere sense of usefulness. A 
housekeeper or cook could be hired : a tolerably cheerful 
home could be made with books, pictures, easy-chairs, and 
glowing fires. If he could not have her, he would have 
the other ; but no woman should mar it for him, under 
the mistaken idea that she was lending it a glory. If he 
could not have her — well, then it would be best to go 
away. 

He rose, and crossed over to her comer. As well 


NELLY KLNNARD’s KINGDOM. 


325 


decide the matter now as to let it hang for days in tor- 
menting alternations. 

“Miss Endicott/’ he began (for although, in then 
household relations, these girls had been used to various 
diminutives, for the world they hedged themselves about 
with that air of fine breeding which did not allow undue 
famiiiarity) , — “Miss Endicott, you have expressed no 
opinion yet. Ought I to go, or stay? ** 

She did not raise her eyes, and even her breath seemed 
to become entangled with that flutter in her throat. Over 
her face and neck stole a wavering pink ; and her fingeis 
trembled visibly. Perhaps the most cruel impulse of his 
whole life was to prolong the moment, and read those 
delicious signs of agitation that could hardly be wrong} 7 
translated. 

He placed his hand over the fingers, gathering them up, 
cold and trembling as they were. 

“ K I stay, Daisy, I must ask again for the boon I was 
once denied. If you can, love me with your whole heart- : 
but do not answer out of pity, or any sentiment less 
strong than my love for you.” 

She did not stir, nor offer to raise her drooping head, 
not even withdraw her hand from that close, warm pres- 
sure. Oh ! had he failed again ? He stooped a little, brought 
his face nearer hers : she felt his breath on her cheek. 

“ Oh! ” she cried, with sudden, eager tremulousness, 
“ I ought not answer you until I have told you something. 
Then, if 3^ou still care ” — 

She had lovoi another, then. 

“ Yes, let me tell you.” She raised her blushing face 
30 W, with the tears shining in her proud, honest eyes. 

“ Yes, tell me,” he repeated, sitting down beside her. 

Had she been less morally brave, she could not hav3 
confessed her story in such a straightforward manner. It 
was very simple, after all, — her girlish mistake, her 
s^recy, the one kiss upon her hand. 

28 


826 


NELLY KINNAKD’S KINGDOM. 


“ And I have come to see now how wild such a thing 
would have been for me. Only a few months of bliss, 
and a whole long lifetime of neglect or indifference. I 
don’t know whether it is jealousy or not ; but I should 
want the whole heart of the man I marry, and I would 
strive, oh, so earnestly I to cherish and return the fullest 
regard.” 

“It is not very much,” with a satisfied smile, “yet, 
Daisy, I am thankful that it has been so little. Some- 
how I think I should not want the love of a woman who 
had been tr3dng every one within her reach, as some 
women do. And now will you answer my question? ” 

“ K I will be your wife? Gladl} ,” with a bright, quiv- 
ering blush. “ And I will try to make you so happy I I 
have been studying mamma and there she paused, con- 
fused by her own naive confession. 

“ No, the other question.” 

She looked up puzzled, then, taking in the whole ex- 
pression of his face, bent hers lower, until it almost hid 
itself on his breast. 

“ If I love you,” she answered in a soft, trembling whis- 
per. “ I think I have loved you a long while ; though I 
never realized quite what it was until to-day.” 

He raised the sweet face, and kissed it many times, 
with a kind of exulting consciousness that he had put in 
a pre-emption claim with the first kiss of so long ago. 

Papa Endicott sighed a little ; ami yet he welcomed his 
new son-in-law cordially. 

“ I think she will make a gomi clergyman’s wife,” he 
said. 

So they settled that the rectory should go on. There 
would be work enough in Edgerly ; and being near Nelly 
added to the pleasure of it. 

Arthur Dudley returned home a very happy man. At 
the station, he saw the Gale’s box -wagon and the man. 

“Are you going right out homer” he asked. 


NELLY KENNARD’S KINGDOM. 


327 


“ Yes,” answered the man. “ Can I give you a lift?” 
“ As far as Dr. Kinnard’s, if you please.” 

“ All right. Jump in.” 

For he could not rest, until he had told Barton KInnard 
that the closest human tie possible between them waa 
benceforth to make them brothero. 


OHAFTER XXH, 


^*rhat all of good the past hath had 
Remains to make our own time glad, 

Our common daily life divine, 

And every land a Palestine. 

Through the harsh noises of our day 
A low, sweet prelude finds its way : 

Through clouds of doubt, and creeds of fear, 

The light is breaking calm and clear/’ — J. G. Whittieb. 

“We often think the story ends with a marriage. It 
seemed to me, that, when Fan and I were married, the 
whole world was swept up clean and clear, and had noth- 
ing to do but fold its hands in its silk-aproned lap, and 
rest. I was so childishly happy. It seemed as if there 
never could be a great event in the world again, hardly a 
lover beside Fan’s and mine. 

“I suppose I narrowed the great events, because I 
thought they were done happening to me. But, before the 
baby came, I had found out my mistake. I daresay many 
of us have a brief season when we think we are the very 
centre, and the worlds not lighted by us are hardly lighted 
at all. 

“Then Nelly married Dr. Kinnard. I did not dread 
so much him or the children, as his mother, and the first 
Mrs. Kinnard’ s sister. I think, now, it must have been 
very hard ; they had ruled the house so long, and he was 
BO accustomed to their rule. Then, too, he was peculiar 
in many things. 

“ She had worked some wonders before our first visit to 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


329 


her home, which, though old-fashioned, was really very 
lovely. Dr. Kinnard treated her in an indulgent, fatherly 
manner, as if she were a pet or plaything. I wondered 
if she would ever get into the very middle and heart of 
his life, as I was in Stephen’s. If she ever felt free to 
talk and laugh over trifles, or confess any little perplexity, 
or even badness ; for wrong thoughts and tempers will 
intrude occasionally. I could see there would be trouble 
about the children. It seemed to me no one in Dr. 
Kinnard’ s household really loved children, not even him- 
self. They were to be endured, to be made to behave 
properly, and kept out of the way as much as possible. 
The little boy had gone to school, sorely against his 
aunt’s will ; and Nelly tried to humanize him a little. 
But his grandmother fretted ; his aunt sneered and cav- 
illed at nearly every thing he did ; and his father was 
often annoyed by his blundering. 

“ ‘ No one really wants her to love the children,’ said 
Stephen to me. ‘ It is bad for her too. Unless Nelly 
is a very exceptional woman, her heart will be centred 
in her own ; and they, poor things, will be worse than 
orphaned. I can’t help feeling sony for them, though 
they are not lovable in themselves.’ 

“ ‘ Nelly must change very much,’ I answered deci- 
sively, ‘ before she can make an unjust or even indiflSerent 
stepmother. She will do her very best.’ 

“ ‘ Circumstances are so much against her.' 

“ I used to think of her often. Her letters were bright 
and cheery: she had taken up some pleasant church- 
relations. I liked the clergyman, Mr. Dudley, so much. 
Me was so clear and staunch in his faith. Dr. Kinnard 
used to argue with him in a kind of half- whimsical, half- 
in-earnest way, and bring up bits of science that seemed 
overwhelming ; but they never confused, or appeared to 
trouble him. When the conversation was brisk and 
animating, I used to think of the old dialogues Louis was 
28 * 


330 


NELLY KINNAED's KINGDOM. 


SO fond of reading. Here was the modern Christian and 
the ancient philosopher. 

“ I had a great deal of interest in my own home. True, 
Stephen did not bring his business to me ; but there were 
many subjects besides, and I always had Louis. He was 
superintendent of a mission Sunday school. He asked 
two or three of the boys to call around in the evening ; 
and, after a while, we came to have quite a reading-club in 
the nice warm kitchen. He supplied them with books 
and papers ; and I always used to bring out a plate of 
sandwiches, and another of cake, — old-fashioned cookies 
and queencake, real Dutch crullers and doughnuts. It 
was such a pleasure to see them eat I One night Louis 
asked two of the boys to wash their hands, and took them 
to the sink. After that, their hands and faces fairly 
shone. Then, as occasion offered, he and Stephen used 
to get situations for them. 

“Then Mrs. Whitcomb had an opportunity to go abroad 
with a very lovely woman, who possessed an abundance 
of means, but who was an incurable invalid. She was 
so well fitted for the post ; and then, too, it would be such 
a delightful thing to see all Europe, or even a part of it. 
Mrs. Raymond had already spent five years there. 

“‘You would like to go? ^ Stephen said to mo. I 
know my eyes were shining with anticipation for her. 

“ ‘ Oh, how delightful it would be I * 

“ ‘Why couldnT we go, Stephen?* said Louis. ‘Not 
jus' now; I would rather wait until I am in orders. 
You will want a rest from business some time ; and, when 
the baby is older ’ — 

“ ‘Yes,* answered Stephen, rather absently I thought. 

“ I wondered if he did not care to go. He had been 
over the British Isles, to Germany, and Paris. Perhaps — 
but I should never tease him. I could be very happy 
without Europe, when I had so much. 

“ Mrs. Whitcomb’s leaving gave me a little mor«» care 


NELLY KINNABD’s KINGDOM. 


331 


/ was really housekeeper then, planning meals, looking 
alter bed-linen and napery, counting the silver, and 
seeing that my best china was not kept around for every 
day uses. Then there were visits, too, from all the folks. 
I did use to enjoy Fan when she came to shop. We used 
to talk about all Wachusett ; and now we took in Edgerly 
Ah, how happy we all were ! Only now and then I used 
tc say, ‘ Poor Nelly ! * thinking of aunts and grand- 
mothers, and stepchildren who almost broke their backs, 
and had to be nursed for months and months. No own 
mother could have been more devoted than Nelly was. 
Dais}^ used to tell over bits of her care and kindliness. 
‘ And it is odd,* she would say, ‘ but I do believe Nelly 
is teaching Dr. Kinnard to love his own children.* 

“ Fancy any one teaching Stephen to love our little 
boy ! But, then, he was so rarely beautiful and cunning I 

“ I like to linger over these days. It is a bit of fairy- 
life ; and yet there was not much real grandeur in it, 
a plain, three-story brick house, just around from a fash- 
ionable avenue, pretty, but not extravagantly furnished. 
It seemed quite a palace to me when I was first married ; 
but Stephen had friends living in so much greater style, 
that I soon began to feel very modest. 

“ I used to think, if we could only keep a horse and car- 
riage, I would not ask to live any more elegantly, but for 
Stephen to have a little more leisure, and the carriage at 
our command. Not that I suffered much in this respect. 
Louis used to take baby and me out pleasant afternoons. 
The income of his part amply sufllced for a few indab 
gences of this kind ; and then he never cared to go alone. 
It was having a kind and tender brother to anticipate 
every want. 

“We did not see so much of Stuart. He was in a large 
mercantile house, and doing considerable travelling, as he 
expected, hi a year or tw^o more, to have a share in the 
business. He was considered very promising and bril^ 


332 


NELLY KINNAED'S KINGDOM. 


liant ; and young ladies were beginning to be fascinated 
with him. 

“ Right in the midst of this came the blow and the 
sorrow. Last week, brightness and laughter; tiny feet 
pattering up and down ; silvery tones floating through the 
atmosphere with such a glad, sunshiny, tremulous vibra- 
tion ; tender kisses at morn ; a little prayer at night, — a 
blessedness so perfect, that I used sometimes to ask why 
I was singled out for the exceeding great joy. 

“ And then an awesome, fearful silence ; a little coffin ; 
flowers whose scent will be indissolubly connected with 
my flrst-born, if I should live centuries ; and then a 
darkened house ; a son’ow so wordless that I could only 
sit in its fearful grasp, holding close and fast to some- 
thing, — not God, not heaven where he had gone, not 
any comfort or consolation, but a strange phantom, a 
I)aby that was never out of my heart or arms, who lay 
there still and motionless, who could not answer my kisses 
or my passionate longings. 

“ I was quiet a good deal, for Stephen’s sake ; but, be- 
sides, such an awful terror had fallen upon me, that I did 
not want to speak. Daisy came to stay with me. I was 
so glad for Stephen’s sake ! She used to talk to him ; 
and she had such sweet, comforting ways ! I who had 
measured the ache and agony of his soul could not bear 
to touch upon it. 

‘ ‘ What days they were ! The common duties of life were 
gone through with. I did not neglect my house, nor my 
church, nor my poor neighbors, in whom I had taken an 
interest heretofore. I used to wish there were more for 
me to do, that every moment could be full, leaving no 
room for listless sorrow. I fancied I fought against it, in 
just enduring passively, in not rebelling. 

“ The first thing that roused and interested me was 
Louis’s coming ordination. I had meant, all along, to 
make a surplice for him, I was so fond of fine needle- 


NELLY lONNARD’S KINGDOM. 


333 


work and embroidery. He drew patterns for the latter : 
he had such a genius for designs and emblems and win- 
dows, and finding the hidden meanings, the types that 
were a soul- substance to our thoughts, that brought us 
somehow nearer to God, — the fine-twined linen, the cun- 
ning work, the beaten gold, the service for him. And m 
I took it in hand while he sat and talked of examinations, 
of hope, of a diviner life, all the poetrj^ and ideality of his 
nature coming out. I used to wonder, sometimes, if this 
was really the Louis Duncan of j^ears ago. But it was 
not, altogether. The love of God had constrained him to 
better thoughts and purposes. I used to feel now, that, if 
he were not to be a clerg 3 Tnan, he would be an artist. 

“ The time came ; and he took his solemn vows, was set 
apart to sacred uses. Papa and mamma were present; 
and their cup of joy filled to the brim. Son Louis,*’ 
father said with tender solemnity ; and he seemed, some- 
how, adopted into our family, — made one of us. 

“ It came to me then — it was a foolish thought, I know ; 
but there was Daisy. If Louis could but like her ! She 
would make such a lovely clergyman’s wife ! 

“ Then Fan planned a grand summering at the White 
Mountains, not hotel life, with its set routine, but the 
grand freedom of house-keeping on a farm. Mr. Ogden 
knew of a house they could hire. The Kinnards were to 
j- >in ; and if we would come I 
“ ‘ I wish you would. Rose ! ’ said Stephen with much 
solicitude in tones. ‘ You need a change. And 1 
think I shall have to go to Chicago presently for two 
weeks or so. Louis might staj^ all the time. ’ 

“ Louis looked at me questioningly. 

“ ‘ No,’ I answered : ‘ I don’t want to go. They will 
all be gay and happy, and I want quiet.’ 

“ That night he asked me if I would go to Europe. 
He might get off by August, he thought ; and wc could 
have six months. 


334 


KELLY KINKARD’S KINGDOM. 


“ ‘ No/ I returned, not even tempted by that. After- 
ward I was so glad I had not caught at the relief. 

‘‘ There was another plan presently. Papa was going 
with the party. His parish would pay expenses, and find 
a substitute while he was gone. Would not Louis lixe 
to come, and Stephen and I ? Daisy was to stay to keep 
house. 

“ ‘ Oh, it would be delightful ! * exclaimed Louis. ‘ A 
whole summer spent there! Rose, we might live over 
what was good in the old times.’ 

“ Stephen studied me then with some anxiety. 

“ ‘Yes,’ I returned: ‘ I do believe I would like that. 
Only, can you come, Stephen ? ’ 

“ ‘ I will try my best. Yes, I shall be there a good 
deal.’ 

“ So it came to pass that we went home for the summer 
Not until after the rest had all gone : I did not feel as if 
I could bear the bustle of getting off, and the good-bys. 

“We came in and took possession. I in the guest- 
chamber, because it was large and airy ; and I knew, too 
that Louis would rather have some other one. There 
were only Daisy and Gertrude left. So we took up a 
quiet house-keeping. The Churchill carriage was placed 
at our convenience. 

“ After a fortnight Stephen started for Chicago. Busi- 
ness was in a perplexing state ; and, instead of two weeks, 
he was detained six ; and then he had to go farther West. 
Altogether, it was two months before he reached home ; 
and then he could only make a flying visit with us. Of 
course, I could not go back with him, and leave the girls. 

“Was I happy that summer? Looking back, I can 
hardly answer, either way. It was a kind of languid 
content. Louis was so good and watchful. He would 
never allow me to tire myself out going around with 
Daisy ; he drove me out often ; he read to me, talked to 
me, sat through the twilight evenings with me, and, som<? 


NELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM. 


335 


how, I came to be strangely comforted. I ga\e up my 
project for him and Daisy. She was too practical : ‘^he 
was a curious mixture of frankness and indifference ; 
sunny^ but not enkindling. He needed a different nature ; 
and I doubted much whether she would be strongly 
attracted towards him. 

“ So we drifted on very pleasantly. They all returned 
home at length, with Queenie’s brave lover. We had con- 
sidered Fan a most fortunate girl ; but this would distance 
her completely. The Mallory s were old friends ci the 
Duncan family : Stephen and I had met them incidentally. 
Mrs. Mallory was such a charming old lady I I alwrys 
thought she was like the solitaire diamonds she wore, — 
bright, sparkling, the very finest of their kind, but not too 
sauch in any way. She never tired you. When she was 
gv?ng out of the room, you wished she could stay ten min- 
Mes longer : when she ceased talking, you wanted to ask 
her two or three more questions. She appeared fond of 
mamma ; but she perfectly adored papa and Bessie. 

“ I moved about them quietly. They had all distanced 
me. I was not jealous. Nelly was so happy, so handsome 
too. Fan always had her cup running over. No sorrow 
for any of them. I was glad with a pure, unalloyed glad- 
ness ; but I hugged my own sorrow to my heart. 

“ ‘ You are still fretting. Rose,* Stephen said, his brows 
drawn a little, as if — somehow — it displeased him. 

“ ‘ No, I am not fretting,* I made answer almost ccld- 
ly. ‘ I have been quite — quite happj.* I had meant to 
say content ; but I altered it to please him. 

“ ‘ You don*t look bright ; you are thin and pale.* 

“ ‘ As if I could ever be bright again ! * 

“ I was sorry the moment I had uttered it. Stephen 
turned and walked away. What had come to him of late ? 

“ Louis found me afterward, crying, and comforted me. 

“I did not realize any of these things then. I was self- 
ishly wrapped in my own grief. So long as I was not 


336 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


obtrusive, I thought I had a right to it. And the almost 
womanly S3Tnpathy of Louis confirmed, instead of rous- 
ing, me. Stephen appeared a good deal pre-occupied. 

“ Then we made ready, and went back to the city. Bu& 
iness seemed urgent and perplexing. Some evenings, 
Stephen did not get home until late ; and then he was 
tired. We had so few of those sweet little matrimonial 
privacies, that, though foolish, are very endearing between 
husband and wife, and, after all, are never meant for tlie 
world. I did not bother him about any thing, because I 
wanted him to rest while he was in the house ; and then 
I always had Louis. He had taken an assistantship in 
a church not far distant. I used to go to morning and 
evening prayers ; and yet it was not like the religion of 
my girlhood. 

“ But I had not come to troubles then. 

“ Was I growing any better or happier? Life seemed so 
dreary, I wanted to be away and at rest. I only thought 
of heaven, in those days, as a place of brooding bliss, 
where one might wander dreamily by the river-side, and 
pluck healing fruits to strengthen and refresh their souls 
as nothing on this earth could help them to do. I was 
calm and placid : it was not my nature to be fretful. 

“ One night after we had gone to our room, Stephen sat 
down on the edge of the bed. He had been home all the 
evening, and very quiet. Louis had been explaining to 
me a guild association, that was to be in working -order 
another summer to look after sick children and weary 
mothers, and take them out of the city now and then. 
My heart had melted over the thought of the poor, wan, 
poverty-stricken babies. I was planning what I would do 
to help as I brushed out my hair. I never wore any curls 
now : thej" seemed sacred to baby-fingers, — laid away as 
his little clothes were. 

“ ‘ Rose,’ Stephen said, ‘ will you come here a few 
moments? ’ 


NELLY KINNARD^S KINGDOM. 


331 


“ There was a strained, hollow sound in his roice, that 
gave me a shiver. I went and stood by him wonderingly. 
Was he going to be ill? 

“ He twined his arms about my neck, drawing me down 
beside him, and kissed me with a strange solemnity. 

‘‘ ‘ Rose, how much do you love me? * 

“ It is curious how the pathetic and the ridiculous things 
m life jostle one another. I could have quoted Sliak* 
speare with a laugh : ‘ There’s beggary in love that can be 
reckoned.’ 

“ ‘ Rose, my darling, is it enough to help you bear a 
great misfortune ? ’ 

“ ‘ What? ’ I asked in surprise. 

“ ‘ You have a right to know first. It would be coward- 
ly to allow you to hear it from other lips.’ 

“‘But what is it?’ I asked impatiently. Then I 
looked into the heavy, weary eyes, noted the tortured 
brow, the quivering lips, felt the shivering pulsation. 
‘ Oh ! ’ I cried in dismay, ‘ you are going to be ill.’ 

“ ‘I hope not. It would come very inopportunely;’ 
and he gave a dreary smile. 

“ ‘ There can be nothing worse than baby’s’ — 

“ ‘ Ah ! I can never make up to you for that, can I, 
Rose? Is the child all to the mother? And now another 
burthen. My poor little darling, I sometimes wish ’ — 

“ I did not hear the last part of the sentence ; for the 
first part pierced me to the quick. There was a time, 
before baby came, when we had been perfectly happy. 
How had I drifted so away ? How had I come to think 
— what did I think? What blackness of darkness was 
between Stephen and me? What great gulf? Where 
had gone the gladness of youth, of love, of the hundred 
little secret springs of joy between us? For surely I 
loved him. I had not wandered there I 

“ ‘ O Stephen ! ’ I cried with a great gasp of agony, 
‘ what has happened ? WTiy am I so far away from you, 
29 


388 


NELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOMc 


— out in darkness, and shivering with cold? Take m€ 
back into your large, warm heart 1 ’ 

‘ I forced myself into his arms ; I kissed his cold lips ; 
I clung to him as if I had been in some imminent peril ; 
for it seemed as if I had stood on the verge of a yawning 
abyss. 

“ ‘ Oh, my little darling, I am so glad to take you 
hack I * and there was that heavenly satisfaction in his 
voice, that comes when one has been among the deep 
things of the soul. 

“ ‘ What was it? ’ I went on bewildered. ‘ Did 1 love 
baby too much ? * And then my own heart answered me, 
* Not the love, no one ever yet loved equal to Him who 
gave “ his only-begotten Son,’* but the passion of grief 
I saw it all now. God had left me to be Stephen’s wife 
and I had almost spurned the blessing. 

“ I slipped out of his arms, and knelt before him, laid 
my head on his knee like a child, and prayed for myself, 
for us both. 

“ ‘ My dear child, don’t ; don’t blame yourself so. 
Perhaps the fault was mine. You seemed so sacred in 
your grief. O Rose, how can I ever tell you I It 
makes it so much the harder ; ’ and now I felt his tears 
on my forehead. 

“ ‘ Stephen,’ I said, awed and frightened, ‘ is it any 
crime, any sin ? Even then I shall not leave you. There 
is no baby to stand between. I am all, all yours.’ 

“ ‘ Crime 1 ” He rose then ; and I laughed in my joy, 
knowing him to be innocent. ‘ No, my darling I Please 
God, you shall never suffer for any positive fault of mine. 
I do not know that it is even negligence, except in one 
respect. But my wealth is all swept away. I must ^ay 
my debts, and begin anew. I did mean, after I bought 
the entire right in this house, to settle it upon you. I 
could have done it when we first came home ; but it did 
not seem quite honest, when I knew the firm was in s 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


339 


ciitical state. There have been heavy losses in Cliicago 
and abroad ’ — 

“‘Is that all?* I was brave little Rose Endicott 
again. ‘ Why, Stephen, I shall not mind being poor. I 
never was rich, you know, until you took me ; and, if I 
can comfort you * — 

“I fell into his arms again, weeping; not for anj 
sorrow, not for any lost wealth, but rather, I think, from 
joy, because the mists had cleared away between us. 

“We talked it over at length ; and I decided, with him, 
that it would be best to give up every thing. It would be 
like rending my heart to go out of the house ; for here I 
had known and loved baby, and here he had died. Yet 
even that might be best. I should realize how surely then 
I had only Stephen. 

“ I lay awake much of the night, thinking ; not in any 
nervous or fretted state, or even despondency, but tiying 
to undo the tangle, and learn how I had drifted so far 
away from Stephen. There was much to humiliate me. 
I had held my sorrow as the greatest. I had refused to 
be comforted. True, it had not been a noisy or aggres- 
sive grief. I had asked nothing ; and I had also declined 
to take any thing, except from — how strange ! — Brother 
Louis. He had known just how to minister to me. I 
had gone to church, to all the services, been outwardly 
patient, mild, resigned ; and yet now I saw I had hardly 
been to God at all. It meant something more than to 
stand and grope about, and hug myself in the soft, fra- 
grant darkness, where I could cry unnoticed. It meant 
that I should be believing for myself and for Stephen, 
It meant, too, that I should be thankful for the little life 
taken before it had been marred, or stained, or defaced by 
the world’s ways. It was so pure and beautiful ; and 
God was holding it safe in heaven for Stephen and me, 
when we came. 

“‘Show me the way,* I prayed softly, ‘and I utE 


840 


NELL? KINNABD'S KINGDOM, 


Tvalk therein;* not in any path of my own devising, 
not shrinking, and shut away from my fellow-creatures 
not bending all things to minister to my selfish sorrow, 
but gladly, joyfully, as befits one who has laid up treasure 
in heaven. 

“I rose in the morning when Stephen did. I brushed 
out my hair, and curled it over my fingers, lading away the 
great braid from the hair-dresser’s. Then I tied a pale 
blue ribbon in it, and put on my blue cashmere morning- 
dress. Stephen came and kissed me wonderingly, without 
any comment, however. I was adorning for him, just as 
I had in the fii’st happy year of my marriage. We went 
down to breakfast. Louis sat by the window, reading. 

“ It did not flash upon me all at once, rather it came 
after long and confused thought, wherein I separated bit by 
bit, and placed each just where it belonged, looked at my 
mistake incredulously at first, and then with great shame 
and remorse. I had been putting another in Stephen’s 
stead. 

“ ‘ Louis,’ my husband said when he rose from the 
table, ‘will you come down to the store this morning? 
There are some complications in which you may be a 
little concerned. At all events, I want your advice, 
your ’ — 

“ ‘ It is nothing worse, Stephen? ’ 

‘“I think it has reached the worst,’ he answered 
almost cheerfully. 

“ ‘ I will be down in about an hour.’ 

“I did not go out to prayers with him that morning. 
1 thought of the children of Israel in the halting journey 
through the wilderness, when both Moses and Aaron had 
prayed, and worked wonders, and asked the Lord for 
guidance. What had he said? ‘ Not sacrifice and burnt- 
offering.’ His word had been clear : ‘ Speak to the 
children of Israel, that they go forward.’ I hai just U 
go forward. 


NELLY KINNAKD 8 KINGDOM. 


341 


“ I went to my bureau after breakfast, and took out 
baby’s clothes, gathered his playthings and some little 
sifts, and folded them all away in a box, which I locked. 
1 did not do it without many tears ; but I kept brave to 
the very end. Then I sat down again, and thought. 

“ Without meaning any thing wrong, without even a 
shadow of evil, I had gone out of the right path I had 
allowed Stephen to stand aside, while I walked with 
another in what I said were heavenly ways. A strange, 
secret perception of things : it could never have been 
love ; for I was too true to Stephen, loved him too well, 
and I would have cut off my right hand, and plucked out 
my right eye, sooner than think such a thing of Louis. 
It had been a high and fine sympathy, engendered by 
community of tastes and interest, and indulgence in my 
great sorrow. But I saw, with a little more, how easily 
even a good woman might drift into dangerous paths, 
when there was no truly noble, large-hearted, and brave 
husband for her to compare her friend with. And I say 
now, that no earthly thing — child, sympathy, or friend — 
has a right to come between husband and wife. When 
these two have chosen one another from all the world ; 
when their souls have been filled with that large awaiting 
of sacred, persistent tenderness, which can discern the 
face of God, and not be ashamed ; when they have come 
to the heart-truth and understanding that this life and 
love is the beginning and foundation of the life to come, 
that it touches reverently the great secrets of etciiiity, — 
they have only to go on. World wisdom and analysiSi 
far-fetched impulses, tortured questionings, and catching 
at outside things, are not for them ; neither do they want 
any adviser between them. God has made them one, 
and woe t) the husband or wife who first begins to put 
the bond asunder, even from a secret consciousness of 
some higher and finer growth. 

“ I do not wonder that both ideals and idols are madi 

27 * 


B42 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


of clergymen. We think of them as living neaier to God i 
of having a purer and finer conception ; of so standing in 
the glory, that, under their shadow, we may catch some 
refiected ray ; that they are as pure and strong in theii 
moral power as they are keen in their moral sense ; and 
with them is a certain blind, unquestioning safety. Yet 
this adoration brought forth its bitter fruit centuries ago, 
when mysticism fiourished, and, in the end, blackened 
like a poisonous fungus-growth. Wisely did the Psalmist 
say,— 

no man may deliver his brother, or make an 
agreement unto God for him, 

“ ‘ For it costs more to redeem their souls; so that he 
must let that alone forever,^ 

“We may believe ourselves strong ; but, until the sure 
test is applied, how can we tell? Sometimes it merely 
passes us b}^ with a dazzling, bewildering fiash : at others, 
it comes near, touches like a galvanic shock the suscepti- 
ble spot, quivers around the hidden unsoundness like 
lightning-play; haply for us that we are not scorched 
and blackened irremediably. 

“ I could not think of all these things deliberately then. 
I only saw my mistake, and retraced my steps humbly. 
It was enough that Stei)hen needed me ; so I arose and 
washed myself, and laid off my sackcloth ; for it was well 
with the child. God had that in his keeping. 

“ They were some time in going through all the busi- 
ness complications. It was the worst that Stephen had 
feared ; but there would be enough to pay the debts. If 
only the house — 

“ ‘Stephen,’ I said one day, ‘do you suppose that I 
would keep it, if it had been settled upon me, while you 
owed one dollar? It will be very hard to go away ” (and 
I had much ado to keep the tears out of my voice) ; 
‘ but I want you to keep your good name unstained 
1 have planned how we shall have a few rooms, and 


JTELLY KENNABD’s KINGDOM. 343 

i do my own work. Let all the rest go. We have 
one another.* 

“ I had brought him a little key to put on his ring, and 
keep until I asked him for it. It belonged to the box 
that held bfc-by’s earthly treasures, and was the token, 
though he knew it not until afterward, that I gave even 
that sacred grief to his care. 

“ Bessie came to stay with Mrs. Mallory while Eugene 
went South ; and they were both so good to us ! She 
treated the boys like sons, and gave us many pleasures, 
which she asked as favors to herself. She was such a 
rare, bright, large-hearted woman, with just a touch of 
piquant sharpness, a spicy flavoring to her nature, that 
kept it sweet and wholesome. Bessie suited her so 
exactly. It is so delightful in this world to meet with 
these elected relationships that are agreeable in every 
respect. 

“ The business went on to a conclusion. The house was 
quietly sold, transferred to the creditors, and disposed of. 
It gave us both a great pang when it was fairly done, 
though we were to keep possession until May. 

“We sat together one evening, Stephen and I, when 
Louis entered the room. There had come to be a slight 
difference between us; and yet, somehow, I loved him 
better. His face had a pure, transfigured look to me ; 
and he had taken up a fashion of placing Stephen and I 
always together. I had never allowed my own revelation 
tc wander out of my own soul, but gave it into the hands 
of God, who had seen on all sides, to judge. There I left 
it content, and just accepted his promises. 

“ Louis came in, as I have said. I had been sewing, 
and Stephen reading ; but we had left off again to talk. 
There was a little space between our chairs; and he 
filled it, dropping something, a folded paper, into my lap, 
and laying his hand on Stephen’s shoulder. 

“ ‘ I want you to look over this with Rose,* he said 


344 


NELT.Y KESTNARD S KINGDOM. 


clearly. ‘ It is my gift to you both ; but I put it in hei 
name, and that of her children, so that there need nevei 
be a question, in any future contingency, about a transfer 
There would never be any place quite as dear to you both 
as this : there is no place so dear to me. I shall alwa} s 
remember how she persuaded me to come ; how you tooh 
me in ; and how, with God’s help, I began a new life in 
this very house. I could not see it go into a stranger’s 
hands. I should like, if it pleased you both, to liave 
my home here with you, I have some money left, 
which, with my aalarj', will quite suffice for my wants. 
I do not think I shall ever marry (not that I make any 
rash vows on the subject) ; but, if I do, it will be many 
years hence.’ 

“ Through this speech, Stephen had been unfolding the 
paper. Our eyes caught one sentence at the same 
moment, — ‘ To Rose Endicott Duncan and her childi-en, 
their heirs and assigns, forever. ’ 

“ Stephen rose, and put his arms about his brother’s 
neck. The silence was better than any words. Then he 
reached out for me, and brought me into the circle, as if, 
thereby, he gave Louis a brother’s right to me, and 
me a sister’s interest in him. 

“We went to talking, at length, in that broken, tearful 
fashion that people always fall into when theii souls have 
been deeply moved. If we could have asked one thing 
out of the wreck, it would l^ave been the power to keep 
this. I think Stephen had felt somewhat hurt at Stuart’s 
eagerness to be assured that he was all safe. He was 
engaged to an heiress, and life lay smiling and prosperous 
before him ; but there would always be a strand of half- 
fascinating selfishness in him. Some friends had already 
proffered Stephen assistance ; but Stuart, out of his 
abundance, had not held forward even a hint of promise 
And Louis would never be making money to lay up foi 
the future. It was doubly generous in him. 


NELLY KINNABij’s KINGDOM. 


345 


“ * O Sf;ephen I * I said with a glad cry when we were 
alone ) ‘ he is next to papa in every good word and work. 
Papa could never have been more nobl}’’ generous.^ 

“ ‘ It is the grace come back again, my little Rose, the 
bread returned,^* that you cast on the troubled waters 
of his boyhood. What could either of us have done 
without you ? 

*It is so good to know that you are glad to have 
me ! ’ 

“ ‘ Glad ! ' and he folded me to his heart. ‘ Can I fill 
np the one lonely space, Rose ? ’ 

“ ‘ O Stephen, you do, you do I * and I spoke the 
sweet, solemn truth.” 


[What she did not know, what neither of them were to 
know, until they stood around the great white throne, was 
the warfare Louis Duncan had been fighting out like a 
good soldier. The unspoken but perceptible change in 
Rose puzzled him at first. He had come to look upon 
her as little less than a saint. To his mind she was 
purity, devotion, self-abnegation, holiness, she who could 
be another St. Elizabeth of Hungary if occasion required. 
He liked to see her in her simple white dresses, with a 
black chain and cross about her neck, and that expression 
of rapt devotion in her eyes. 

But what had come over her now? Was she going back 
to the vanities of the world in this season of loss and sor- 
row? Was she turning from the only stronghold to pool 
human love? He studied her in amazement: he felt 
hurt, neglected. Stephen was always with her now, 
Stephen — 

Something rose in his heart, stirred it, made it con« 
scious of a longing and a tenderness, a pain, a dreary 
looking-forward. What was it? Surely he was not envi 
ous of their happiness? 


846 NELLY KINNAKD’S KINGDOM. 

It was an awful knowledge that has overtaken botl 
men and women before, — good, honest, noble hearts. If 
she were Rose Endicott to-day, and he — 

He plucked it out, and trod it under foot, — the sweetest 
part of a man’s life, when it does not lead into forbidden 
paths. He was no weak, sentimental hero. If he could 
not conquer himself, he had no right to stay and glance at 
her even. K he coveted one look, one word, one smile > 
to have and to hold in his secret heart, it was a sin. He 
could not help being a man, and seeing what might have 
been possible to life ; but he rose to thrust it away before 
it could take root. He would not stain and mar his own 
soul, — hers was safe in her husband’s love, — he gave 
thanks for that now. This thing had been deeded 
another by God’s gift in the beginning ; let him keej- 
that clearly before his eyes. 

He went out to the fields of his labor, taking the 
most unpromising to-day. Here, in these miserable dens,, 
were men and women who had been born . with clean 
souls, but who had overlaid them with selfish desires and 
indulgence ; who had yielded, little by little ; who had 
often known the right, but closed their eyes upon it. If 
heaven is not reached by a single bound, no more are 
such depths of infamy and sin. But he pitied them with 
a profound and tender charity : he stretched out one hand, 
while, with the other, he held the angel by the thigh, like 
the wrestler of old, and prayed his prayer: *‘1 will not 
let thee go, unless thou bless me.” 

He returned home at night tired, but content. He saw 
them smile upon one another while he kept quite outside. 
It was their blessed, God-given right. 

Afterward the plan concerning the house entered his 
mind. His staying should be as they elected. He surely 
could tell by word or sign. He would not take himself 
out of their presence from any weakness or cowardice, 
remembering the bidding of the grand old apostle : “ Hav* 
ing done all things, to stand ” i 


NELLY KINNAED’S KINGDOM. 


847 


“ It was so delightful to think of going on unchanged I 
Stephen had some very good business-friends, who found 
an opening for him. I sent away one of the servants, 
and became a regular little housekeeper myself. I think 
Stephen and I had never been so happy. 

“ I began to understand presently, that a new feeling 
had sprung up between Louis and ourselves. I wondered 
whether it was because he had given us the house, that 
he was so careful of assuming any kind of right. He put 
Stephen in the place of elder brother, and paid him an 
indescribable deference. They were so dear to each 
other! There is always an exquisite charm about the 
friendships of men, and particularly that of brothers, 
which is much rarer in this world than it should be. 

“ Indeed, it seemed as if good times were begin- 
ning with us again. First there came the tidings of 
Nellyas baby. They all said Dr. Kinnard was oveijoyed^ 
I do think a bit of the best fortune to her had been Auni 
Adelaide’s marriage : it gave her the undisputed possess* 
orship of her house and of the children, in a greater 
degree than before. 

“ Then Bessie’s marriage took place. It had been such 
a lovely, romantic kind of an engagement ! — every thing 
happening just right, and Mrs. Mallory setting at defi- 
ance the traditional mother-in-law. She would always be 
with them ; but we could see that Bessie would not have 
the ghost of a chance for complaint. 

“ They expected to remain abroad several years. The 
choice belongings were packed and stored, the house 
rented, the horses sold ; yet it was a very bright parting : 
I don’t know why, except that Mrs. Mallcry would not 
let any one be sad. 

“ ‘ I wonder, little wife, if we shall ever go to Europe,’ 
Stephen said afterward, with something like a sigh. 

“ ‘ I don’t care a bit,’ I made answer lightly. ‘ I hav« 
resolved to think that Tvhatever God sends is the very 
best.’ 


848 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


“ He smiled, and pinched my cheek. It was getting 
quite round and rosy again. 

“ The next was a Heaven-sent blessing to fill baby ^ a 
place. I took it with a great throb of thankful love. 
And yet he was so diflTerent from Stevie ; not nearly so 
handsome, with brown-red curly hair^ like mine, and blue 
eyes, but the best, merriest, frolicking baby in the whole 
world, when he grew large enough to enjoy such things. 

“ Louis was exceedingly delighted. What a brave 
worker he was in the Master’s vineyard ! The world was 
full of wide meaning and rich promises for him. Instead 
of disdaining it, and sighing for heaven, he tried to make 
it the better, even for one clean soul rescued from the 
depths. There was in him a large steadfastness and 
truth, that seemed to lift every-day work above any mere 
drudgeiy. Like, and yet unlike, papa, yet living in the 
same accord, feeling the continual presence, the shaping 
and placing of some wiser hand, the going-forth in con- 
tinual gladness, and sowing by the wayside, knowing Ml 
well that he should reap, if he fainted not. 

“ Oddly enough, there came to us presently the news oi 
Daisy’s engagement. It had been a pet plan all ^long 
of Dr. Kinnard’s, it seemed. There was to be a rectory 
built at Edgerly (they had finished a very nice church) , 
and then Daisy was to go in bridal robes, and lx> its 
keeper. 

“ That spring I was not so well, — ‘ run-down,* as peo- 
ple say. Stephen was a good deal alarmed, and asked 
Dr. Kinnard to come in and see me. It ended by my 
being sent to Edgerly for the summer. 

‘‘ Daisy was married the first of June, and came home a 
fortnight afterward to take possession of her new house. 
She was such a sweet, sensible, unaffected body ; and then 
her experience in parish-work stood her in good stead. 
Mr. Dudley was very fond of her ; not foolishly so, but 
with a grave, reverent tenderness good to see. 


NELLY KINNABD S KINGDOM. 


349 


“ I think it is best that people should occasionally go out 
of their own narrow bounds, and study the lives of others. 
I began to take a great interest in Nelly’s. She had 
grown more like mamma than any of us, and had that 
sweet, pleasant wisdom, that large awaiting and hopeful 
outlook. She kept up with her husband ; and he was a 
strongly intellectual man, rather severe on shams, and 
‘ isms ’ that would not bear clear winnowing, but not an 
unfair opponent. They had gathered around them a charm- 
mg and cultured circle ; but she was as entertaining to 
some of the doctor’s poor patients, who came in with 
sickly babies, and wanted comforting, as if they were 
chosen friends. I told her, one day, that she would be a 
powerful rival to Daisy. 

“ She had managed to gain over her young step-son, 
irho adored her, and grandmother, who was a really 
pleasant old lady, thinking ‘my son’s wife’ could not 
possibly be mistaken on any point. I knew she had 
worked hard for these two victories. 

“ Then Miss Maud came home from school, bringing a 
friend with her. This was the first time Nelly had really 
^.aken her under her care. I used to watch her wise way 
of planning and working. She made it so pleasant for 
the two girls, ofibring them her pony-carriage, asking 
other young people in to tea, arranging some parties to 
the woods, and, somehow, being in the midst of all with 
her beauiiiul, animated face, and her inspiring voice. It 
was odd to take note of Maud as well. She seemed so 
afraid of yielding to her stepmother’s influence, and 
regarded her with a kind of distrustful jealousy that was 
often overpowered by Nelly’s pure goodness. Sometimes 
the doctor would be quite vexed. I used to smile at the 
manner in which Nelly restrained him. Once, indeed, he 
appealed to me to know if I did not consider him hen- 
pecked. It was so ridiculous, that we all laughed. 

“ After her friend went away, Maud’s aunt sent for her 

» 


350 


NELLY KINNARD’S KCNGDOM. 


1 think she did not really care to go ; but no one made 
any demur. She only lemained a fortnight, however ; and, 
after she returned, we all remarked a little change in her. 
She began to pay Nelly a pleasant respect. She so 
seldom gave her any name in speaking to her, and 
seemed to delight in having different tastes and desires ; 
but now she deferred to her occasionally, and appeared 
really glad when circumstances compelled her to adopt 
her stepmother’s way of thinking. Altogether, I thought 
her much improved. 

“ The day before she returned to school, she was up in 
Nelly’s room a long while. I noticed, when she came to 
supper, that she had been crying ; but she was so unusu- 
ally gracious, that I knew nothing had gone wrong. 

“ That night, of her own accord, she came and kissed 
Nelly as she was going to bed. 

“When she was quite up stairs, Nelly rose, crossed 
over to her husband, and, putting her arms around his 
neck, said in a tone of deep emotion, — 

“ ‘ Barton, congratulate me. I have won my kingdom 
at length. I have entered in, and taken possession.' 

“ ‘ My darling I ' 

“ If she could be such a mother to another woman’s 
children, what would she not be to her own ! 

“ They sent me home well and rosy. I began to have 
some doubt as to whether I had the very best husband in 
the family, when there were two such men as Dr. Kinnard 
and Mr. Dudley. 

“ But he was the best to me." 


“ Five years after Bessie’s marriage, we all met at the 
rectory to welcome her home, though now it was golden, 
glowing September. The dear old house overflowed, 
not only with children and grandchildren, but talk and 


NELLY KINNAED’s KINGDOM. 


351 


iaughter. Papa’s hair was quite silvery, and his gentle, 
absent-minded ways were so sweet ; and mamma was a 
grandmother out of a story-book. Fan was stout and 
rosy. Winthrop had been elected a member of Congress ; 
and they were getting to be quite grand people. Babies 
grew and multiplied : there were five now. No want or 
trouble seemed to come near there. Mr. Churchill was 
quite ailing now and then; but Miss Esther would be 
stately and elegant to the last. 

“ I suppose I ought to bring myself in next. We were 
prospering, though not back to the old point. And yet 
we care little for that. The serenity of our souls is not 
disturbed about money. There are a few silvery threads 
finding their way about Stephen’s temples ; but he smiles 
rver them, while his eyes still keep their kindly, half- 
ihady light. We have a wonderful little girl, who is quite 
the family beauty. She makes us think of him hourly ; and 
we talk about him now with a tender sweetness that leaves 
no pain. 

“Nelly eclipses us all, I think. She always was tall 
and elegant ; but now she seems rounded out to the perfec- 
tion of symmetry, and adorned with the perfection pf col- 
oring. The years have crowned her with their richness ; 
and her own motherhood glorifies her hardly less than 
that she accepted at her marriage. It has brought its 
own reward. She is so lovely with this grown son and 
daughter ; she makes so much of eveiy gi’ace and tender- 
ness, that they unconsciously emulate her. Edgerly people 
talk of them as being such a happy family ; and it is true 
enough If Dr. Kinnard’s summer was late, it is none 
!jie less glowing. Beside Frances, he has twin-boys, 
pretty as pictures. 

“ There is Daisy and her husband, and a little daughter 
Daisy, whose sweetness of mind and soul shines out, and 
makes her beautiful with the something that always 
puzzles people. And there is radiant Bess. Queenis 


352 


NELLY KINNABD’S KINGDOM. 


always now, bright, dazzling, stylish from the crown oi 
her head to her dainty foot, with her rippling, rapid talk^ 
her laughs of saucy, suggestive music, her piquant ways, 
oddly like her handsome, pink-cheeked mother-in-law. 
They have left one little girl asleep in a graveyard at 
Florence: they have another with them, and Grand- 
mother Mallory is rarely seen without it. Eugene says 
he and Queenie have leave to go their ways now. 

“ There are two more fair girls, Gertrude, and Edith, 
for whom Stephen stood so long ago, and who love him 
dearly. We sit out on the porch and on the grass, and talk 
all these times over, from the beginning, — our romances, 
that will presently be our children’s, the world goes on so 
fast. The twilight falls, and finds us there. Then papa 
leans softly over to the wife of his youth, the woman who 
has marked her plain, daily path with jewels, that the Lord 
will claim for his in that other country. And he says 
slowly, tenderly clasping her fingers in his, — 

“ ‘ Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own 
works praise her in the gates.' " 


AMERICAN GIRLS’ SERIES 


Standard Copyright Books for Girls by American Authors 


Thirty-five titles Each complete in itself. Uni- 
form cloth binding New cover design Price per 
volume $1.00 

1. Battles at Home By Mary G. Darling 

2. Captain Molly By Mary A. Denison 

3. Daisy Travers By Adelaide F. Samuels 

4. Deerings of fledbury. The By Vir- 

ginia F. Townsend 

5. Her Friend’s Lover By Sophie May 

6. Hollands, The By Virginia F. Town- 

send 

7. In Trust By Amanda M. Douglas 

8. In the World By Mary G. Darling 

9. Into the Light By C. G. O. 

10. It Came to Pass By Mary Farley Sanborn 

11. Lottie Fames By Adelaide F. Samuels 

12. May Martin and Other Tales of the Green Mountains 

Judge D. P. Thompson 

13. Mills of Tuxbury By Virginia F. Townsend 

14. Nellie Kinnard’s Kingdom By Amanda M. Douglas 

15. Pretty Lucy Merwyn By Mary Lakeman 

16. Rhoda Thornton’s Girlhood By Mary E. Pratt 

17. Room for One More By Mrs. T. W, ITigginson » 

18. Ruby Duke, A Story of Boarding School Life By Mrs. H. K. 



By 


Potwin 

19. Ruth Eliot’s Dream By Mary Lakeman 

20. Seven Daughters By Amanda M. Douglas 

21. Six in All By Virginia F. Townsend 

22. Sweet and Twenty By Mary Farley Sanborn 

23. Tatters By Beulah 

24. Which, Right or Wrong? By Mary L. Moreland 

25. Whom Kathie Married By Amanda M. Douglas 

26. An American Girl Abroad By Adeline Trafton 

27. Dorothy’s Experience By Adeline Trafton 

28. Hester Strong’s Life Work By Mrs. S. A. Southworth 

29. Hillsboro’ Farms, A Story for Girls By Sophia Dickinson Cobb 

30. Sally Williams the Mountain Girl By Mrs. E. D. Cheney 

31. ’Lisbeth Wilson; A Daughter of New Hampshire Hills 

By Eliza Nelson Blair 

32. Running to Waste By George M. Baker 

33. Barbara Thayer ; Her Glorious Career By Annie Jenness Millet 

34. Katherine Earle By Adeline Trafton 

35. In the King’s Country By Amanda M. 


LEE AND SHEPARD Publishers BOSTON 


We Four Girls 



BY 

MARY 

o 

DARLING 


By Mary G. Darling i2mo Cloth B’ 
lustrated by Bertha G. Davidson- 
$ 1.25 

“TT7E FOUR GIRLS” is a bright 
V V story of a summer vacation in the 
country, -where these girls were sent for 
study and recreation. The story has plenty 
of natural incidents; and a mild romance, 
in which they are all interested, and of : 
which their teacher is the principal person, . 
gives interest to the tale. They thought it j 
the most delightful summer they ever'passed. i 
Every girl reader will wish that she could have 
as beautiful a vacation, and any mother may 
be happy to place such a book in her daugh- 
ter’s hands. 


A Girl of this Century 

By Mary G. Darling Author of “We 
Four Girls ” Cloth Illustrated by Lil- 
ian Crawford True $1.25 

E FOUR GIRLS” at once took 
its place among the very best 
books for older girls, and has been in con- 
tinual demand since its publication. The 
same characters are retained in this story, 
the interest centring around “Marjorie,” the 
natural leader of the four. She has a brilliant 
course at Radcliffe, and then comes the 
world. A romance, long resisted, but worthy 
in nature and of happy termination, crowns 
this singularly well-drawn life of the noblest 
of all princesses — a true American girl. 

Beck’s Fortune A Story of School and Seminary Life 

By Adele E. Thompson Cloth Illustrated $1.25 

T he characters in this book seem to live, their remarks are bright and 
natural, and the incidental humor delightful. The account of Beck’s 
narrow and cheerless early life, her sprightly independence, and unexpected 
competency that aids her to progress through the medium of seminary life 
to noble womanhood, is one that mothers can commend to their daughters 
unreservedly. 


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I T is a great deal to say of a book that it is 
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That is what “Betty Seldon, Patriot” is. 
Historical events are accurately traced leading 
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town, with reunion and happiness for all who 
deserve it. Betty is worth a thousand of the 
fickle coquette heroines of some latter day 
popular novels. 



Brave Heart Elizabeth 

I i2mo Cloth Illustrated by Lilian Craw- 
ford True $1.25 

T his is a book for older girls, and in 
strength ranks with the best fiction of 
the year. It is a story of the making of the 
Ohio frontier, much of it taken from life, 
and the heroine one of the famous Zane 
family after which Zanesville, O., takes its 
name. As an accurate, pleasing, and yet at 
times intensely thrilling picture of the stir- 
ring period of border settlement, and the 
hardy folk, whose familiarity with danger < 
taught a surprising ability to enjoy the bright' 
er side withal, this book surpasses all recent 
writings of its kind. 



A Lassie of the Isles $125 

lee and SHEPARD BOSTON 



The Quinnebasset Series 

By Sophie May Cloth Illustrated Price per 
volume $1.25 Sets in neat box Any volume 
sold separately 

“ COPHIE MAY” writes with a remarkable in- 
sight into the thought and life of girls, and 
shows an unaffected sympathy in the perplexities, 
aspirations, and disappointments of their experience. 

Our Helen 
In Old Quinnebasset 
Janet : A Poor Heiress 
Quinnebasset Girls 
The Asbury Twins 
The Doctor’s Daughter 


Pauline Wyman 


By Sophie May Cloth Illustrated $1.25 

IN ” Pauline Wyman ” the author has drawn a typical New England girl whose 
I strong and beautiful character is developed by her environmerxt, — all told with 
the same originality and freshness which have drawn a multitude of young people 
to the author’s previous work in the “Quinnebasset Series.” 


Joy Bells 


A Quinnebasset Story 

By Sophie May 


$1.25 


Almost as Good as a Boy 

By Amanda M. Douglas Author of the 
“ Kathie Stories ” etc. Cloth Illustrated 
by Bertha G. Davidson $1.25 

M ISS DOUGLAS tells how a girl accom- 
plishes her various undertakings in a 
most successful way, and proves that her 
ability is at least equal to what might be 
reasonably expected of a boy, under similar 
circumstances. It is a charming and a helpful 
story that has proved a general favorite. 


Helen Grant’s School Days 

By Amanda M. Douglas $1.25 



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By AMY BB-OOnS 

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T he progress of the “ Randy Books ” has 
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hearts of girls of all ages, for dear little fun- 
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figure as Randy, growing toward womanhood 
with each book. The sterling good sense and 
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absence of slang and viciousness, make these 
books in the highest degree commendable, 
while abundant life is supplied by the doings 
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the droll rural characters. No book is more 
anxiously awaited or eagerly called for long 
in advance than a promised new “ Randy Book,” 

Randy’s Summer $i.oo 
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By S. Jennie Smith i2mo Cloth Illus- 
trated by James E. McBurney $1.25 

M adge is indeed “ a girl in earnest.” 

She scorns the patronage of an aris- 
tocratic relative and takes upon her strong 
young shoulders the problem of carrying 
along the family in an independent manner. 
Her bravely won success, in spite of the 
lions in her path, not the least of which was 
the fear of social disfavor felt by some of 
her family, forms an inspiring tale. An un- 
usual amount of practical information is pre- 
sented in a thoroughly entertaining manner, 
and the character-drawing is remarkably true 
and strong. 



LEE AND SHEPARD BOSTON’ 



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The Doctor’s Daug'hter. Bj Sophie May. Illustrated. $1.25. 

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script. 

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it takes one's heart by storm.” — hidex. 

In Old. Quinnebasset. By Sophie May. Illustrated. $1.25. 

The heroine kept a “ Diarium,” and filled it with the quaint sayings and 
doings of her time, which was in the first years of the American republic. It 
is a vivid representation of a bygone age. 

“ A more graceful and charming tale it would be hard to find. . . . When 
one remembers the delightful freshness of Sophie May’s other girls’ stories, 
one is tempted to repeat the hackneyed words, ‘ Age cannot wither her, nor 
custom stale her infinite variety.’ ” — The Critic, N. Y. 

Janet : A Poor Heiress. By Sophie May. Illustrated. $1.25. 

“ Sophie May is a master of style, and knows society and human nature so 
fully that she talks out of a cultivated mind and a large experience.” — Balti- 
more Courant. 

“ It is a sweet romance of girlhood ; the heroine being thoroughly brave, 
frank, and unconventional.” — Hartford Herald. 

Our Helen, By Sophie May. Illustrated. $1.25. 

“A fresh, lively, cheerful story, not straining to draw a moral, but possess- 
ing a good healthy tone throughout. It belongs to the older class of children’s 
books, and will please all who read it.” — Albany fournal. 

Quinnebasset Girls, By Sophie May. Illustrated. $1.25. 

“As fresh and wholesome as a bright December morning. ... It is areal 
girl’s book, good and true and honest, and full withal of clever hints of Nevsr 
lingland character. What a debt of grateful friendship do the little people 
owe to Sophie May!” — N. Y. Tribune. 

The Asbury Twins, By Sophie May. Illustrated. $1.25. 

“ They are beautiful girls both, and we confess to have fallen in love with 
them; and there is likely to be a latent Mormon desire in the mind of a young, 
man reader to marry both, one is so pleasant a complement to the other. . . . 
For pure loveliness and natural captivation, the story is an example not by any 
means common.” — Boston Traveller, 


LEE AND SHEPARD, BOSTON, SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FREE. 







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